Stats review - what do the figures reveal about the teams heading home?
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyScotland and Australia were the two topped-rank teams to miss out on the knockout stage at Rugby World Cup 2023, but there was plenty to be positive about for teams such as Portugal, Georgia and Tonga. Pool...
JPN eve of match (v ARG): assistant coach Mitchell, Leitch, Yamanaka
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyJohn Mitchell, defence coach On Argentina’s winning record and what Japan need to do to get the win: “Argentina are a very organised, committed, defensive side. I think they are very...
Match Preview: Japan v Argentina
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyThe equation is simple for both sides at Nantes on Saturday. Victory equals quarter-final qualification and a match next Saturday against the winner of Pool C in Marseille. The consequences of a defeat...
Fifita in for Naikabula on the wing - Japan name team to play Argentina
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyJapan head coach Jamie Joseph has announced his squad to face Argentina in Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Sunday 8 October. Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named his matchday 23 to face Argentina...
Fernández Lobbe (ARG) - 'Japan will be a great battle
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyLA BAULE-ESCOUBLAC - Comments from Argentina assistant coach Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe at a media briefing on Sunday after their 59-5 win over Chile in Pool D on Saturday. Juan...
Japan reaction (head coach Joseph, captain Himeno, Lemeki, Leitch, Cornelsen, Naoto, Fukuda)
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyMIXED ZONE Michael Leitch, back rowOn how Japan are progressing:“Building up to the World Cup, we lost five games, against some quality opposition. But as the World Cup has gone on, we have grown...
Match Preview: Japan v Samoa
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyThere’s a lot at stake when Japan face Samoa at Stadium de Toulouse on Thursday. Two sides’ quarter-final hopes are on the line in a ferociously tight Pool D, in which a single point separates...
Riley starts at centre - Japan name team to play Samoa
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyJapan head coach Jamie Joseph has announced his match-day 23 for his team's Pool D match against Samoa on Thursday, 28 September. Dylan Riley starts at outside-centre in place of Tomoki Osada and Lomano...
Samoa hoping local knowledge will offer edge against Japan
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyWhen Japan takes on Samoa in Toulouse, France, in Pool D of the Rugby World Cup on Thursday, it will be up against a team that knows more than a thing or two about Japanese rugby. Head coach Seilala Mapusua...
On this day in 2015: Japan stun South Africa at Rugby World Cup
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyJapan pulled off the greatest shock in Rugby World Cup history as they stunned mighty South Africa 34-32 at the Amex Stadium in Brighton on this day in 2015. Karne Hesketh’s 84th-minute try sealed...
