Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has brought in some familiar names for Saturday's non-test match featuring a Brave Blossoms side out to avenge last weekend's 38-6 defeat to the All Blacks XV.
The second of five home warm-up games for Japan ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France sees seven changes made to the starting fifteen. It includes wholesale changes to the front row, with regular 2019 World Cup starters Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki and Gu Ji Won all getting the nod at Kumamoto's Egao Kenko Stadium.
"Lots of experienced players weren't playing last week and when it got hot and tough, we started to have times where the team was very quiet," Joseph said.
"(The answer is) to bring key experienced guys back into the fold, communication will be a lot better with the likes of Inagaki and Shota."
Flanker Michael Leitch is replaced by Jack Cornelsen and Faulua Makisi at No. 8 by Kazuki Himeno, who will be captain for the night. Flyhalf Lee Seung-sin comes in for Rikiya Matsuda and Ryoto Nakamura takes Shogo Nakano's place at inside center.
"When it came to our attack, it didn't go well," Joseph said of last week's match in Tokyo that ended without a try for the home side. "We were too naive and made lots of careless mistakes."
Cornelsen, like Joseph, was not too worried about last weekend's non-test loss by the side billed as a Japan XV rather than the national team.
"That was the first game we've been together as a group, so there were a few areas that didn't go as we planned and work out," said the Australia-born player after Friday's captain's run at the stadium.
"We had a good solid prep week so that would definitely help us going forward."
While set to come off the bench again, 2019 World Cup scrumhalf Yutaka Nagare is keen to get things right and leave an impression at Kumamoto, where he spent three years at high school commuting from neighboring Fukuoka Prefecture.
"We were throwing the ball away when we had chances to attack, making easy (and wrong) decisions. We practiced what to do when in possession," Nagare said. "What's important is everyone having the same picture in their heads."
"It's a precious opportunity being able to play in Kyushu, and I want to show those who helped me how much I've matured. (The area) has been hit by heavy rains and other disasters in the past few years and although rugby can't change everything, I hope we have a match that gives that bit of energy."