RWC - The A Games with Shaggy (Canada vs Japan)

[Getofmeland]

The A games with Shaggy – Canada V Japan, Tuesday 27th September, McLean Park, Napier

As we approach the end of pool play, Japan move to Napier to take on Canada, who are playing their second consecutive game at that venue, after their loss against France. This is a must win match for Canada if they want to secure the crucial third place in the pool, and automatically qualify for the next cup. Japan also will have targeted this match pre-tournament, as a game that they can win.It's their last game before they depart the tournament, and while the third place is effectively gone, they will want to end this tournament on a winning note, and break their drought of wins at world cups. I'd expect that both countries will name their strongest lineups for this match, and that Canada will try to dominate Japan in the forwards, and utilise the physical style that they have displayed in their previous matches.

Japan will play the game at pace, and try to wear down the Canadians, and get the benefits of a tiring defence late in the match, like the French did.

Assuming that the strongest sides are selected, and that there are no last minute injuries, I am really looking forward to some of the key matchups in this match. The battle of the loose forwards should be interesting, with Japan's Michael Leitch having been in outstanding form, dominating the breakdowns. Canada's loose trio of Chauncey O'Toole, Adam Kleeberger, and Aaron Carpenter, have been in great form also, and seem to complement each other well.

My gut feel is that the Canadian loose forwards, along with their tight forward counterparts, will win most of the forward exchanges. This will probably provide the best platform for their backs, allowing the experienced Ed Fairhurst, and the steady Ander Munro to control things.

The Canadian's also have fire power out wide in, full back, James Pritchard, wing, Phil Mackenzie and outside centre, DTH van der Merwe. This could cause problems for the Japanese if they get the opportunity to unleash them, but they may be better served playing a tight game, at least initially anyway.

The Japanese backs are an exciting combination of speed, size, and experience. Canada will need to contain the acceleration of Fumiaki Tanaka at half back, the speed of Hirotiko Onozawa, and the size and physicality of fellow wing, Kosuke Endo. James Arlidge will need to have a much better night with the goal kicking than the one he had against Tonga, if the Japanese to have any chance. His combination with Ryan Nicolas in the 12 jersey could prove a hand full for the Canadian midfield.

This game may be slightly overshadowed by France's game against the All Blacks a few days earlier, but Canada, Japan, and Tonga, have lived up to the pre-tournament expectations. They have provided high quality, exciting, close matches, where the results between these sides, are far from predictable. I will follow my heart with this one, and predict a close win to Canada, as I can't seem to separate the sides using my head.

Blog by Shaggy

 

[Canucks]

Excellet depiction of how I think the match will go. I think that Canada's forwards will dominate the breakdown. The real battle this game will be in the backs, specifically Japan's back and they're tackling (or lack they're of.) Canada loves to run the forwards at the back and as the match against Tonga proved, if Canada gets a good attacking platform, they can unleash DTH Van Der Merwe, who will be making a name for himself soon enough.
The only part I think you missed is that Japan likes to play a tight game and take advantage of a small error and turn it into a try with their counterattack.


Pool A makes me wish there was more teams making the knockout stages or another pool. Whoever finishes 3rd in the pools deserves some more games. It's a once 4 year tournament and some of these teams just need an opportunity for more games against the best competition.