John Kirwan makes two changes to Japanese squad for Canada clash - Rugby Updates
John Kirwan, the head coach of Japan, has made just two changes in his side to play their next match of the Rugby World Cup 2011 against Canada on September 27, in Napier. Japan lost its previous match of the event to Tonga by 31-18 last week. Kirwan announced
his fresh 22-member squad on September 25 which featured just two changes as Sione Vatuvei and Nozomu Fujit have been added to the playing 15.
The coach defended his decision to make just a couple of changes to his side and said it was time to deliver rather than make huge shifts in combinations. He added that Japan played an extremely poor match against Tonga and disappointed their supporters
with a sluggish effort.
He also stated that, “I won't be changing anything from the past. Same as usual, keep going and I think it's all about individual preparation now. I think we're all disappointed with what happened against Tonga so the team's very motivated to have a good
game. We're looking forward to a big match against Canada.”
Kirwan admitted the fact that his team committed too many mistakes against Tonga and gave away an easy victory. He argued that, “For me, the Tongan game was about making errors. If we hadn't made those errors, I still think we played a good style of rugby.
It's just the little things that we need to do.”
Japan has lost all three Pool matches and will be seen last in action in the Rugby World Cup 2011 against Canada. Meanwhile, Canada is looking to repeat history after they defeated the Japanese in the world showpiece of 2007.
Japan’s 22-member squad that will take on Canada on September 27 in their last match of Rugby World Cup 2011 are as follows:
Japan: Shaun Webb, Kosuke Endo, Alisi Tupuailai, Ryan Nicholas, Hirotoki Onozawa, James Arlidge, Fumiaki Tanaka; Takashi Kikutani (captain), Michael Leitch, Sione Vatuvei, Toshizumi Kitagawa, Luke Thompson, Nozomu Fujita, Shota Horie, Hisateru
Hirashima.
Reserves: Yusuke Aoki, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Hitoshi Ono, Toetuu Taufa, Atsushi Hiwasa, Murray Williams, Bryce Robins.
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