日本語 Photo Journal
26 June 2021: G: Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland; R: Refree: Pascal Gauzere (France)
●Japan 10–28 B & I Lions○
Data:
26/6/2021, European Tour 2021 1st Game
Japan 10– B & I Lions 28
Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland
Half-time 0 - 21
Refree: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Crowd: 16,500
JAPAN: 15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Kaito Shigeno (22 Naoto Saito 50), 8 Amanaki Lelei Mafi (21Tevita Tatafu 50), 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Michael Leitch (capt) (20 Kazuki Himeno 50), 5 James Moore, 4 Wimpie Van Der Walt (19 Jack Cornelsen 61), 3 Jiwon Koo (18 Asaeli Ai Valu 50), 2 Atsushi Sakate,1 Keita Inagaki (17 Craig Millar 64).
Reserves:
Coach: Jamie Joseph.
Tries: Kazuki Himeno ; Conversions: Yu Tamura ; Penalty Goals: Yu Tamura .
Yellow Cards:
BIL: 15 Liam Williams (23 Anthony Watson 65), 14 Josh Adams, 13 Robbie Henshaw 12 Bundee Aki (22 Owen Farrell 55), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Conor Murray (21 Ali Price 61), 8 Jack Conan, 7 Justin Tipuric (20 Taulupe Faletau 62), 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) (19 Courtney Lawes 7), 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong (18 Kyle Sinckler 51), 2 Ken Owens (16 Jamie George 55), 1 Rory Sutherland (17 Wyn Jones 51).
Reserves:
Coach: Warren Gatland.
Tries:Josh Adams, Duhan van der Merwe, Robbie Henshaw, Tadhg Beirne; Conversions: Dan Biggar (4); Penalty Goals:
Yellow Cards:
Scoring sequence (Japan's score shown first): 12min-try BIL, Josh Adams; conv. Dan Biggar-0-7,18min-try BIL, Duhan van der Merwe; conv. Dan Biggar-0-14, 23min-try BIL, Robbie Henshaw; conv. Dan Biggar-0-21, 49min-try BIL, Tadhg Beirne; conv. Dan Biggar-0-28, 59min-try JPN, Kazuki Himeno; conv. Yu Tamura-7-28, 65min-pen JPN, Yu Tamura (Missed), 69min-pen JPN Yu Tamura-10-28.
In the previous Rugby World Cup held in Japan in 2019, the Japan National Team defeated strong teams in the world, such as Ireland and Scotland, meeting their goal by reaching the final eight. The team then took on the challenge of playing South Africa, which was the eventual champion of this world cup. The Japan National Team’s impressive performance attracted great attention not only from passionate rugby fans but also from those “overnight rugby fans.” Due to such a surge in interest, the TV viewer rate reached 50%. Overseas guests who visited Japan were also impressed with Japanese culture and the hospitality shown. Japan received high marks from various parties such as sponsors and cooperators after this world cup. Therefore, the year 2019 was a dream year for Japanese rugby. However, in the following year, Japan encountered a nightmare due to the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The notorious COVID virus spread across the globe in a blink of an eye with a spiraling death toll, affecting the sporting circles in Japan, including rugby. The Top League was cancelled, and all the rugby-related activities were suspended, including the Japan National Team. But at last, in 2021, the Japan National Team resumed their activities. As their achievements and performance in the RWC 2019 were very much appreciated, they received an invitation for a match from the British & Irish Lions. This historic rugby team was formed in 1888. Starting their tour to South Africa in 1891, they have taken tours to those southern-hemisphere rugby giants, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa (currently once every four years). While competing against various teams on those tours, the British & Irish Lions have only invited an opponent to their home country once, Argentina. Japan was the second team to ever be invited. We can see what an honor this was to play such a prestigious match.
The match started with the Japan National Team’s kickoff. In the 7th minute of the first half, Alun Wyn Jones, the Lions’ captain, tried to get into a ruck but was prevented by James Moore of Japan.
This tackle caused Jones to get a serious shoulder injury, making him leave the field early in the match. But this was followed by Justin Tipuric being injured in the 22nd minute. These events in the match clearly show how fiercely Japan tried to push. Moore and Wimpie rushed foolishly straightforwardly and never gave up with tenacious tackles. They demonstrated that such a spirit forms the core of the Japan National Team led by Jamie Joseph. Despite Japan’s favorite strategy with a swift buildup to wear the Lions out, the Lions were quite defensive. They easily lifted Japanese players, lighter than the Lions, one after another, while getting into an unplayable maul a number of times and controlled the ball with scrums. Against struggling Japan, the Lions retrieved the ball and built momentum by going closer to Japan’s end zone. Controlling the ball with rucks, they finally led to a try successfully made by WTB, Josh Adams. Siosaia Fifita responded to him face-to-face, but Fifita was on his guard against Adams’ speed and allowed him to step inside and get passed. Shigeno tried to back up Fifita by tackling Adams, but Adams was strong enough and scored a try while dragging Shigeno. Dan Biggar, the lions’ SO, easily scored from the corner, making it a 7-0 lead. The Lions continued to stay aggressive. In the 18th minute, the Lions’ WTB, Van der Merwe, coasted down the blindside and made a try from a ruck on the right side around the 22-meter line in Japan’s zone. This was followed by a successful conversion of Biggar, which widened the gap, 14-0. All the Japan National Team players ran and tackled quite well in spite of a short period to brush up. But this try made by Van der Merwe revealed Japan’s weak spot, such as their inadequate care on the blindside. Afterward, the Lions put it in full gear with the forwards came closer and formed mauls one after another in front of the end line of Japan. In the 23rd minute, to tackle the pressure and power of the Lions, Japan’s BK, Nakamura, also got into the maul. But the Lions caught Japan off guard without Nakamura, while CTB, Henshaw, ran and was over for a try of his own easily. With a successful conversion of Biggar, the Lions raced to an early 21-0 lead. Japan allowed the Lions to get 21 points with 3 tries in 20 minutes of the first half. Everyone was worried if Japan would suffer a crushing defeat. But from this point, Japan started their engine having ample strength and energy. Of course, the Lions might have taken a breath, but in any case, Japan did an excellent job by making brave tackles and built up a bold attack, and finally came closer to the Lions’ end line. Matsushima, having gone through the greatest French league, ran swiftly, powerfully, and flexibly. He contributed by steadily gaining possessions and finally pulling in scoring chances for Japan. However, Japan failed to succeed even after several chances, ending the first half 21-0. It is challenging to keep the opponent team try-less when the team plays defensive entirely. But such a play tends to wear the opponent out by taking advantage of chances and keeping the ball can lead the team to prevent losing points.
In the second half, the Lions got revived and became aggressive again, with chances where they almost made tries twice. But they wasted their chances with knock-ons made by Williams and Courtney Lawes, which saved Japan’s life. The Lions kept their all-out attack mode. In the 9th minute of the second half, the forwards spread widely toward the right after several rushes from a ruck. Beirne dived and scored a try followed by a successful conversion, making it 28-0. To break this bad momentum, Japan replaced four players. VALU, Himeno, Tatafu, and Saito were thrown into the pitch being totally ready to go. Tatafu and VALU, including Himeno who fought in the Super Rugby final as a member of the Highlanders a week before, pushed hard as if they had ripped the Lions’ 15 apart, adding further momentum to Japan. Saito, who got a cap for the first time, picked up the attack pace with fast passes with good judgment as he considered the timing for the receivers. Japan got a penalty kick after continuous attacks in the 19th minute of the second half, which ended with winning a lineout on the Japanese side. They did a pickoff play and executed a peel ball, and Himeno got the ball as Tatafu packed and dragged him into the in-goal. Supported by Nakamura, Himeno made a successful try. Tamura also converted, making the score 28-7. Japan continued to make a charge that led to penalties on the Lions’ side. While Tamura failed in the 25th minute, he made no mistake in the 29th minute, 28-10, driving Japan’s fight back. Throughout the remaining 20 minutes, Japan’s forwards stubbornly and tenaciously repeated charges and support. With his heavy and powerful charge, inspiring Mafi’s play in his prime, Tatafu swept the Lions players off his feet to move forward.
With 5 minutes remaining, Japan went wide toward the left while getting rucks continuously until the end zone of the Lions. At this time, Nakamura passed the ball to Fifita. Receiving the ball, Fifita powerfully charged forward, passing by two players, and finally reached the in-goal. But he got tackled by Lions’ No. 18, Kyle Sinckler, and was caught in a ruck. Himeno picked up the loose ball and dived into the in-goal, but he failed to place the ball on the ground resulting in no try. Japan got several chances nearly making tries after one more push, but the Lions stayed focused and tenaciously stopped Japan. The game ended with the score of 28-10. Japan lost points and everyone must have been scared of what would happen during the first 20 minutes of the first half. But they came back and ran neck and neck with one of the world’s strongest rugby teams, the Lions. We were very proud of the Japan National Team for their impressive performance. Taking time to brush up on the team until the next world cup in France, Japan will develop a highly motivated and better team that will rival or even surpass the previous national team in 2019.
26 June 2021: G: Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland; R: Refree: Pascal Gauzere (France)
●Japan 10–28 B & I Lions○
Data:
26/6/2021, European Tour 2021 1st Game
Japan 10– B & I Lions 28
Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland
Half-time 0 - 21
Refree: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Crowd: 16,500
JAPAN: 15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Kaito Shigeno (22 Naoto Saito 50), 8 Amanaki Lelei Mafi (21Tevita Tatafu 50), 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Michael Leitch (capt) (20 Kazuki Himeno 50), 5 James Moore, 4 Wimpie Van Der Walt (19 Jack Cornelsen 61), 3 Jiwon Koo (18 Asaeli Ai Valu 50), 2 Atsushi Sakate,1 Keita Inagaki (17 Craig Millar 64).
Reserves:
Coach: Jamie Joseph.
Tries: Kazuki Himeno ; Conversions: Yu Tamura ; Penalty Goals: Yu Tamura .
Yellow Cards:
BIL: 15 Liam Williams (23 Anthony Watson 65), 14 Josh Adams, 13 Robbie Henshaw 12 Bundee Aki (22 Owen Farrell 55), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Conor Murray (21 Ali Price 61), 8 Jack Conan, 7 Justin Tipuric (20 Taulupe Faletau 62), 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) (19 Courtney Lawes 7), 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong (18 Kyle Sinckler 51), 2 Ken Owens (16 Jamie George 55), 1 Rory Sutherland (17 Wyn Jones 51).
Reserves:
Coach: Warren Gatland.
Tries:Josh Adams, Duhan van der Merwe, Robbie Henshaw, Tadhg Beirne; Conversions: Dan Biggar (4); Penalty Goals:
Yellow Cards:
Scoring sequence (Japan's score shown first): 12min-try BIL, Josh Adams; conv. Dan Biggar-0-7,18min-try BIL, Duhan van der Merwe; conv. Dan Biggar-0-14, 23min-try BIL, Robbie Henshaw; conv. Dan Biggar-0-21, 49min-try BIL, Tadhg Beirne; conv. Dan Biggar-0-28, 59min-try JPN, Kazuki Himeno; conv. Yu Tamura-7-28, 65min-pen JPN, Yu Tamura (Missed), 69min-pen JPN Yu Tamura-10-28.
In the previous Rugby World Cup held in Japan in 2019, the Japan National Team defeated strong teams in the world, such as Ireland and Scotland, meeting their goal by reaching the final eight. The team then took on the challenge of playing South Africa, which was the eventual champion of this world cup. The Japan National Team’s impressive performance attracted great attention not only from passionate rugby fans but also from those “overnight rugby fans.” Due to such a surge in interest, the TV viewer rate reached 50%. Overseas guests who visited Japan were also impressed with Japanese culture and the hospitality shown. Japan received high marks from various parties such as sponsors and cooperators after this world cup. Therefore, the year 2019 was a dream year for Japanese rugby. However, in the following year, Japan encountered a nightmare due to the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The notorious COVID virus spread across the globe in a blink of an eye with a spiraling death toll, affecting the sporting circles in Japan, including rugby. The Top League was cancelled, and all the rugby-related activities were suspended, including the Japan National Team. But at last, in 2021, the Japan National Team resumed their activities. As their achievements and performance in the RWC 2019 were very much appreciated, they received an invitation for a match from the British & Irish Lions. This historic rugby team was formed in 1888. Starting their tour to South Africa in 1891, they have taken tours to those southern-hemisphere rugby giants, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa (currently once every four years). While competing against various teams on those tours, the British & Irish Lions have only invited an opponent to their home country once, Argentina. Japan was the second team to ever be invited. We can see what an honor this was to play such a prestigious match.
The match started with the Japan National Team’s kickoff. In the 7th minute of the first half, Alun Wyn Jones, the Lions’ captain, tried to get into a ruck but was prevented by James Moore of Japan.
This tackle caused Jones to get a serious shoulder injury, making him leave the field early in the match. But this was followed by Justin Tipuric being injured in the 22nd minute. These events in the match clearly show how fiercely Japan tried to push. Moore and Wimpie rushed foolishly straightforwardly and never gave up with tenacious tackles. They demonstrated that such a spirit forms the core of the Japan National Team led by Jamie Joseph. Despite Japan’s favorite strategy with a swift buildup to wear the Lions out, the Lions were quite defensive. They easily lifted Japanese players, lighter than the Lions, one after another, while getting into an unplayable maul a number of times and controlled the ball with scrums. Against struggling Japan, the Lions retrieved the ball and built momentum by going closer to Japan’s end zone. Controlling the ball with rucks, they finally led to a try successfully made by WTB, Josh Adams. Siosaia Fifita responded to him face-to-face, but Fifita was on his guard against Adams’ speed and allowed him to step inside and get passed. Shigeno tried to back up Fifita by tackling Adams, but Adams was strong enough and scored a try while dragging Shigeno. Dan Biggar, the lions’ SO, easily scored from the corner, making it a 7-0 lead. The Lions continued to stay aggressive. In the 18th minute, the Lions’ WTB, Van der Merwe, coasted down the blindside and made a try from a ruck on the right side around the 22-meter line in Japan’s zone. This was followed by a successful conversion of Biggar, which widened the gap, 14-0. All the Japan National Team players ran and tackled quite well in spite of a short period to brush up. But this try made by Van der Merwe revealed Japan’s weak spot, such as their inadequate care on the blindside. Afterward, the Lions put it in full gear with the forwards came closer and formed mauls one after another in front of the end line of Japan. In the 23rd minute, to tackle the pressure and power of the Lions, Japan’s BK, Nakamura, also got into the maul. But the Lions caught Japan off guard without Nakamura, while CTB, Henshaw, ran and was over for a try of his own easily. With a successful conversion of Biggar, the Lions raced to an early 21-0 lead. Japan allowed the Lions to get 21 points with 3 tries in 20 minutes of the first half. Everyone was worried if Japan would suffer a crushing defeat. But from this point, Japan started their engine having ample strength and energy. Of course, the Lions might have taken a breath, but in any case, Japan did an excellent job by making brave tackles and built up a bold attack, and finally came closer to the Lions’ end line. Matsushima, having gone through the greatest French league, ran swiftly, powerfully, and flexibly. He contributed by steadily gaining possessions and finally pulling in scoring chances for Japan. However, Japan failed to succeed even after several chances, ending the first half 21-0. It is challenging to keep the opponent team try-less when the team plays defensive entirely. But such a play tends to wear the opponent out by taking advantage of chances and keeping the ball can lead the team to prevent losing points.
In the second half, the Lions got revived and became aggressive again, with chances where they almost made tries twice. But they wasted their chances with knock-ons made by Williams and Courtney Lawes, which saved Japan’s life. The Lions kept their all-out attack mode. In the 9th minute of the second half, the forwards spread widely toward the right after several rushes from a ruck. Beirne dived and scored a try followed by a successful conversion, making it 28-0. To break this bad momentum, Japan replaced four players. VALU, Himeno, Tatafu, and Saito were thrown into the pitch being totally ready to go. Tatafu and VALU, including Himeno who fought in the Super Rugby final as a member of the Highlanders a week before, pushed hard as if they had ripped the Lions’ 15 apart, adding further momentum to Japan. Saito, who got a cap for the first time, picked up the attack pace with fast passes with good judgment as he considered the timing for the receivers. Japan got a penalty kick after continuous attacks in the 19th minute of the second half, which ended with winning a lineout on the Japanese side. They did a pickoff play and executed a peel ball, and Himeno got the ball as Tatafu packed and dragged him into the in-goal. Supported by Nakamura, Himeno made a successful try. Tamura also converted, making the score 28-7. Japan continued to make a charge that led to penalties on the Lions’ side. While Tamura failed in the 25th minute, he made no mistake in the 29th minute, 28-10, driving Japan’s fight back. Throughout the remaining 20 minutes, Japan’s forwards stubbornly and tenaciously repeated charges and support. With his heavy and powerful charge, inspiring Mafi’s play in his prime, Tatafu swept the Lions players off his feet to move forward.
With 5 minutes remaining, Japan went wide toward the left while getting rucks continuously until the end zone of the Lions. At this time, Nakamura passed the ball to Fifita. Receiving the ball, Fifita powerfully charged forward, passing by two players, and finally reached the in-goal. But he got tackled by Lions’ No. 18, Kyle Sinckler, and was caught in a ruck. Himeno picked up the loose ball and dived into the in-goal, but he failed to place the ball on the ground resulting in no try. Japan got several chances nearly making tries after one more push, but the Lions stayed focused and tenaciously stopped Japan. The game ended with the score of 28-10. Japan lost points and everyone must have been scared of what would happen during the first 20 minutes of the first half. But they came back and ran neck and neck with one of the world’s strongest rugby teams, the Lions. We were very proud of the Japan National Team for their impressive performance. Taking time to brush up on the team until the next world cup in France, Japan will develop a highly motivated and better team that will rival or even surpass the previous national team in 2019.