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 ...
Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph hails contributions of team's foreign-born players
Japan national rugby team head coach Jamie Joseph countered observations Thursday that his squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup contains several players born overseas by asking the question "what is a foreign player?" Joseph named his 31-man squad for the Sept. 20-Nov. 2 World ...
Japan coach Jamie Joseph promised the hosts would "give 150 percent" to hit their target of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals after naming his 31-man squad on Thursday. The Brave Blossoms will be at full strength when they face Russia in the tournament's opener ...
Actor Temuera Morrison said playing former Japan coach Eddie Jones in the movie "The Brighton Miracle" — the official trailer of which was released Friday — gave him real insight into "the drive and ruthless commitment and passion" behind one of the greatest sporting ...
Michael Leitch aspires to lead Brave Blossoms on historic run at Rugby World Cup
Japan captain Michael Leitch said he aims to lead the Brave Blossoms on a historic run at the upcoming Rugby World Cup to send a message that the team belongs among the sport's elite. In a recent interview with Kyodo News, Leitch said his goal ...
Winning the Pacific Nations Cup has given Japan every confidence that it is on the right track to achieve its goal of reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time. After big wins over Fiji and Tonga, Japan overpowered a dogged United ...
Japan continues to show mettle with impressive win over Tonga
The mental toughness Japan has been developing over the last few years — first seen in a 2013 win over Wales in Tokyo — once again came to the fore on Saturday as it kept alive its hopes of winning some silverware even before ...
Brave Blossoms' Michael Leitch named to starting lineup for first time since December
Japan coach Jamie Joseph opted against making wholesale changes Thursday as he named his side to play Tonga in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup. Michael Leitch will lead a side on Saturday at Hanazono Rugby Stadium that shows just five changes from ...
Michael Leitch eyes Pacific Nations Cup return as Rugby World Cup looms
Japan captain Michael Leitch is targeting the Pacific Nations Cup game against Fiji on July 27 for his long-awaited return to action. The 30-year-old back-row forward has not played since Dec. 15 due to a chronic groin injury, but he is back training with the ...
Captain Michael Leitch says Brave Blossoms can make history at Rugby World Cup
Japan captain Michael Leitch warned that the Brave Blossoms will fear no one at this year's World Cup as the hosts target a place in the knockout stage for the first time. The New Zealand-born flanker shot to fame four years ago when Japan won ...
JRFU's bewildering plans for Top League reform spark skepticism, opposition
The news that the Japan Rugby Top League is to undergo reform following this year's World Cup should have been met with heraldic fanfare, given the nation's recent entry into the Reiwa Era. But having spoken to a number of coaches, players and longtime observers ...
