Rugby Dec 15, 2020
Japan seeks top-level competition ahead of 2023 reunion with Eddie Jones
The Brave Blossoms head coach wants to recreate the preparations that led to Japan's quarterfinal run on home soil in 2019.
Rugby Sep 14, 2020
Brave Blossoms won't play at all in 2020 because of pandemic
by Andrew McKirdy
Brave Blossoms have not played a match since their World Cup quarterfinal defeat to South Africa on Oct. 20 last year.
Rugby Apr 22, 2020
Jamie Joseph expecting Japan's summer tests against England, Wales to be called off or postponed
With Japan's summer test matches against Wales and Rugby World Cup runner-up England almost guaranteed to be called off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph is hoping the games can be played at a later date. Talking recently to ...
Rugby Feb 10, 2020
Brave Blossoms head coach Jamie Joseph in middle of conflict between JRFU, World Rugby
by Rich Freeman
An escalating spat between World Rugby and the Japan Rugby Football Union was behind Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph's recent comments about the timing of a new domestic league, a source close to the matter has told Kyodo News. In his first press conference since ...
Rugby Jan 29, 2020
Brave Blossoms head coach Jamie Joseph calls for structural reform
Japan coach Jamie Joseph put the cat among the pigeons Wednesday when he said the Brave Blossoms could not hope to remain a top eight nation if the current domestic structures remain in place. Speaking to the media for the first time since he agreed ...
Rugby Oct 31, 2019
Jamie Joseph and Brave Blossoms among nominees for World Rugby awards
Jamie Joseph and his Japan squad have been nominated for World Rugby awards in an elite field that includes the best teams and coaches in the game. Rassie Erasmus and Eddie Jones, who will go head-to-head when South Africa and England meet in the World ...
Rugby Oct 24, 2019
JRFU wants Jamie Joseph to remain national team coach after team's RWC success
The Japan Rugby Football Union decided Thursday to ask Jamie Joseph to continue as the national team head coach following a successful Rugby World Cup campaign in which the Brave Blossoms reached the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time. The JRFU will make ...
Rugby Oct 21, 2019
Japan needs to prove Rugby World Cup's 'Once in a Lifetime' catchphrase wrong
by Rich Freeman
The catchphrase of the ongoing Rugby World Cup in Japan is "Once in a Lifetime." The big question, a day after the Brave Blossoms were knocked out of the competition by South Africa, is will Japanese rugby be able to prove that wrong and ...
Rugby Oct 21, 2019
Japan players and coach praise team unity after run to quarterfinals at Rugby World Cup
by Rich Freeman
Japan coach Jamie Joseph said Monday the team's impressive work ethic played a major role in the hosts making a run to the Rugby World Cup's last eight for the first time. Speaking a day after the Brave Blossoms were knocked out of the tournament ...
Rugby Oct 18, 2019
Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph says team is ready for physicality of Springboks
by Andrew McKirdy
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has warned his players to expect a brutal onslaught from South Africa's forwards when they go head to head in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. But the New Zealander also hinted that the Brave Blossoms could have a trick up ...
Rugby Oct 16, 2019
Japan has 'nothing to lose' ahead of quarterfinal clash
by Andrew McKirdy
Japan's Rugby World Cup heroes on Wednesday vowed to go for broke in their historic quarterfinal against South Africa on Sunday, insisting the Brave Blossoms have "nothing to lose" after reaching the knockout round for the first time. "The goal for the Japan team was ...
Rugby Oct 14, 2019
Collective unity behind Japan's remarkable run
by Rich Freeman
The defining moment during Sunday's enthralling Rugby World Cup game between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama was not Kenki Fukuoka's superb second try. Nor was it any of the umpteen tackles put in by Luke Thompson or Ryoto Nakamura. It came 21 minutes into a ...