Japan V Argentina Confirmed November 5th @ Tokyo

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

https://www.facebook.com/Rugby.Japan

Will be interesting to see the turnout, and the first look of Joesph's Japan.

 

[SuisseKiwi]

Joseph is a good coach, it's a pity it isn't Japan vs South Africa again, I'd fancy Japan to put more on them than they did in the RWC.

 

[Brigantine]

Sunwolves vs Jaguares re-match? Awesome! I better look at flights...

Better than being a Blues fan!

Conveniently the week before Germany vs Uruguay, followed the next 2 weeks by the final nail in the coffin for vanquished Portugal, and some games against Brazil. I might actually make it to these

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Japan should have a good squad again plenty of player who weren't in the Sunwolves to pick from and Argentina play nothing like the Jags.

Japan could pick
Mikami (starting 1 v SA)
Hatakeyama (Starting 3 V SA)
Yama****a (Sub 3 V SA)
Thompson (Starting 4)
Leitch (starting 6)
Broadhurst (Starting 7)
Tui (Starting 8)
Mafi (Bench 8)
Tanaka (9)
Ono (Starting 12)
Sa'u (Starting 13)
Matsushima (starting wing)
Goromaru (Starting 15)

God that highlights how poor the sunwolves where to not mangae to bring in more of those players.

 

[Brigantine]

Were many of them in the Asian top 3 squad? (There only seem to be about 9 players in common between the Top 3 squad and the Sunwolves)

I only see Yamashida, but that's Hajime Yamashida the Sunwolves fullback, not Hiroshi Yamashida the RWC prop.

I got the sense the Cherry Blossoms' plan was mostly picking a pretty young squad and sticking with it for 4 years, but then Tui, Mafi, Hatakeyama were in the Scotland tour squad. Looks like they're willing to bring in a few reinforcements at times. In that case Argentina would definitely qualify.

Will be interesting to see either way.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

It'll be a tough old four games for both sides in November as they both jet set across the globe. As much as I like the fixtures both teams have lined up I think they are overdoing it. Japan's first choice are too good for Argentina to put out a second XV. This will probably have more flowing attacking rugby than any other fixture this year and gives Japan a chance of making a move into the top 10, so I'll try to tune in.

 

[TheOvalBall]

Man, i want to visit that city so bad...

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Press release with Jamie Joseph's thoughts on upcoming Autumn series. Talking common sense and lowering expectations. It's clear his focus isn't on getting a top 10 ranking or World Cup seedings.

http://en.rugby-japan.jp/2016/09/05/new-japan-coach-joseph-relishing-challenge-ahead/

Appears to confirm Joseph will double up as Sunwolves coach as I was hoping. Should be great for the Sunwolves and we saw signs of the advantages of this with the performance of the Japanese second XV against Scotland (when Hammet doubled up as national and club side coach). Real signs the national side benefitted from that continuity of coaching. The core of the team being asked to play the same style for club and country. A far tougher schedule for the Sunwolves next season but if they recruit smartly I can see them claiming a few SA scalps.

I really hope that Argentina take note and double up Hourcade as club and national team coach. It just seems a no-brainer to me.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Hopefully the Sunwolves can lure some players back

I don't see Gorumaru making it at Toulon and honestly will prob never read the levels he did with Japan unless he is playing in Japan.