John Kirwan was appointed head coach for two years with effect from January 1, 2007 on October 25, 2006 by the JRFU. Before taking up his appointment he worked as an adviser. He declared his intention from the outset to pursue a Japanese brand of rugby which expresses the "Samurai Spirit", and he wanted to win at least two games in RWC 2007. In the qualifying games Japan beat Hong Kong 52-3 and Korea 54-0 in November 2006 to secure its place in Pool B with ease at the RWC 2007.
On April 9, 2007 the national team was featured at their first training camp since Kirwan's appointment in the NHK national news, a sign of the growing expectation and interest in his team. He said in front of the camera: "We want to be the world's fittest team". He added that he wanted Japan to play to its strengths which he said were speed and agility, and to play rugby that "big men don't like."
In the first game under Kirwan against Korea on April 22, 2007 the Cherry Blossoms won easily, 82-0 and seven new players were introduced. James Arlidge scored two tries of the fourteen, and converted ten out of ten. However in their performance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup they failed to win a match: a second-string team lost 91-3 to Australia, although they did draw 12-12 against Canada and lose by just 4 points (31-35) to eventual quarter finalists Fiji. They also lost 74-18 Wales in Cardiff, but in the process scored a spectacular length-of-the-field try through Kosuke Endo that many regarded as the best in the tournament. They came fourth in their pool ahead of Canada and behind Wales, thanks to the bonus point earned against Fiji.
In the 2008 HSBC Asian Five Nations Japan won all four of its games to become the first Asian Five Nations champions on May 18, 2008.
No comments:
Post a Comment