Japan Brave Blossoms vs Tonga Match Preview – Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2023 Pacific Nations Series

rugbyasia247 Posted On July 28, 2023

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Japan Brave Blossoms vs Tonga Match Preview

The Brave Blossoms look to correct the ship against Tonga on Saturday 28th July at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2023 Pacific Nations Series.

The 22-24 loss against Samoa was the team’s 15th defeat in 19 games against international opposition since RWC 2019 – their only wins have been against Portugal and twice against Uruguay. The pressure increases after the loss as it means the Brave Blossoms are on the worst run of defeats since they lost seven on the bounce between 1999-2000.

The team and coaches will be hoping to break that run, as historically, Japan and Tonga share the spoils with nine wins each, but Japan has won the last two meetings by 30+ points. Fans however might need to prepare for a possible lacklustre RWC 2023 compared to previous successes.

Head Coach Jamie Joseph said after last weekend’s loss “We need to be better all-round in skill and discipline.” He added “I thought our forwards kept us in the game. They defended very well against a very direct and physical side.”

This weekend in Osaka, the Japanese will be co-Captained by Kazuki Himeno (number eight) and reserve halfback, Yutaka Nagare. Four players come into the matchday 23, and in total there are seven changes of personnel and one positional change from last weekend.

Photo Credit: JRFU – Brave Blossoms will be desperate to break the losing streak of 7 in a row.

Japanese talisman Michael Leitch was handed a 3-game suspension following his red card versus Samoa (the first of his career) last weekend, which means he will possibly miss the matches against Samoa, Fiji and the final warmup match against Italy (He could reduce this to two games if he attends the ‘laughable’ tackle school.)

Joseph said of the match against Tonga: “Coming into this week, the boys understand that accuracy will be very important when it comes to defending and tackling, and the game against Tonga is going to be another massive challenge. They’ve come to Japan with five ex-All Blacks and one ex-Wallaby, so World Rugby’s rule changes have really allowed them to strengthen their team.” (Editors note – not all of those players have been selected).

The Tongans have called in Lopeti Timani and Pita Ahki to start, while George Moala comes into the matchday squad. Toutai Kefu is in his second spell as head coach of Tonga and awards Sonatane Takulua a start to become the first Tongan player to reach 50 caps. There are seven changes of personnel and two positional changes from the side that tasted defeat to Fiji last week.

Players who have earned their international stripes with other nations but now representing Tonga at the international level include Vaea Fifita and George Moala, with several other high-profile names not selected this weekend with TRU saying Malakai Fekitoa, Sam Lousi, Augustine Pulu and Isileli (Israel Folau) unavailable for selection due to rotation/injury.

Matthew Carley (England) is the match referee.

Date & Time: Saturday 29 July, 19:30
Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Japan

Match Permutations – Japan vs Tonga – 28th July 2023

It is not possible for Japan to improve on 12th place in the World Rugby rankings.
However, if the Brave Blossoms lose at home, they could drop as many as three places to 15th, depending on the margin and the outcome of other matches involving other teams in and around them in the rankings.
Tonga could climb one place if they win by > 15 points.

Japan Brave Blossoms Squad versus Tonga – 28th July 2023

Keita Inagaki, Atsushi Sakate, Asaeli Ai Valu; Amato Fakatava, Uwe Helu; Jack Cornelsen, Ben Gunter, Kazuki Himeno (CC); Naoto Saito, Lee Seung Sin; Semisi Masirewa, Tomoki Osada, Dylan Riley, Jone Naikabula, Ryohei Yamanaka.

Reserves: Shota Horie, Craig Millar, Gu Ji Won; James Moore, Tevita Tatafu; Yutaka Nagare (CC), Rikiya Matsuda, Kotaro Matsushima.