Brave Blossoms' RWC quarterfinal brings back memories of rugby great Seiji Hirao
While Japan's first-ever quarterfinal match at the Rugby World Cup will be remembered as a new page in the sport's history, it will also serve as a time to revisit the accomplishments of former playmaker and coach Seiji Hirao who helped lay the foundation ...
Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph says team is ready for physicality of Springboks
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 ...
Japan captain Michael Leitch looking for All Blacks' help to beat Springboks
Japan captain Michael Leitch said Monday he would be asking for help from a trio of former All Blacks in the build-up to next weekend's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal with South Africa. "I am going to talk to Richard Kahui, Cory Jane and Stephen Donald ...
Brave Blossoms warn rivals 'there's more to come' after reaching Rugby World Cup quarterfinals
Japan's players allowed themselves a moment of satisfaction after beating Scotland to reach the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time on Sunday, but warned their next opponent, South Africa: "we're not finished yet." "We're not packing our bags and saying 'that's enough,'" said ...
Brave Blossoms captain Michael Leitch laments loss of privacy as fame grows
Japan rugby captain Michael Leitch has discovered a frustrating drawback to the side's storming Rugby World Cup run — he can't pop out for a quiet coffee anymore. Coffee lover Leitch, who has led the Brave Blossoms to three wins out of three so far, ...
Michael Leitch returning to starting lineup for Japan against Samoa
Japan coach Jamie Joseph opted Thursday to start Michael Leitch but keep Pieter Labuschagne as game captain for the Rugby World Cup Pool A game against Samoa this weekend. Joseph named a side for Saturday's game at City of Toyota Stadium that shows three changes ...
Brave Blossoms savor victory over Ireland, immediately shift focus to next match
Japan regular captain Michael Leitch hailed his team's momentous Rugby World Cup win over Ireland on Saturday as a "massive step" toward a first-ever place in the quarterfinals, but warned that nothing has been decided yet. "We still have a job to do," said Leitch, ...
Amanaki Mafi replaces captain Michael Leitch in Japan's starting lineup for Ireland clash
Japan on Thursday left captain Michael Leitch out of its starting team for Saturday's clash with Pool A favorite Ireland as a fit-again Amanaki Mafi took his place in the back row as one of five changes from the Brave Blossoms' opening-day win over ...
Japan exploring all options ahead of match against Ireland
Japan coach Jamie Joseph has spent the week trying to work out how to get four into three in the back row as he finalizes his lineup for Saturday's Rugby World Cup clash with Ireland, and it seems Michael Leitch could be the one ...
Foreign-born players uniting Brave Blossoms at Rugby World Cup
Weak rules over eligibility to play for a country is one of the characteristics of rugby, and the Japan team is no exception in capitalizing on the benefits of it in seeking to reach the knockout stage for the first time at the ongoing ...
Brave Blossoms taking different approaches to preparation, playing ahead of World Cup
Japan heads into their opening game of the Rugby World Cup knowing its strategy off the field in terms of preparation needs to be the exact opposite of how the team plays its Pool A matches. "This week the focus is on Russia. It's important ...
Japan was officially welcomed to the Rugby World Cup at a ceremony at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office on Friday that saw all 31 playing team members presented with their Rugby World Cup 2019 cap, and the entire team, including coaches and management, receive ...
