Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024 – Japan XV vs Maori All Blacks

Following Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossom’s heavy defeat in the opening international against England last weekend, who scored eight tries to two in a 52-17 win at Tokyo’s National Stadium, attention turns to the two-match Japan XV vs Maori All Black Series with a training Japanese training squad selected as part of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024.

Updated 6 July 2024

30 Japan XV members were involved in the Fukuoka training camp being held at JAPAN BASE as they prepared themselves for a tough series.  Japan has faced the Māori All Blacks on three previous occasions and lost all of the matches.

This two-match series follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the JRFU and New Zealand Rugby in May 2024 which will see more regular fixtures between the two nations take place on a more regular basis, across all levels of competition.

The opening game of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024 JAPAN XV vs Maori All Blacks will take place on June 29, 2024, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo.

Head coach Eddie Jones said, “The Maori All Blacks are a team with history and pride, and are passionate and hungry. However, we also wear the jersey with the cherry blossoms on it, so our goal is to win. We would like to develop three quality players in each position by the time of the next World Cup, and we want to demonstrate the depth of the Japanese rugby player base (even in the match against the Maori).”

The Australian had told media after the loss to England that they were “10 days into a four-year project” as they build towards the 2027 World Cup and needed to “build up the physical and mental capacity” to play the high-energy game he wants from the Japanese national team for a full 80 minutes.

Koji Shimokawa (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), said “I often used this ground for the prefectural elementary school tournament, as well as for junior and senior high school tournaments, so I’m happy to be able to come back in this way.”

The JRFU said that Victor Matfield (Technical Advisor) of the Japanese national team staff will not be participating in this training camp.

The Brave Blossoms take on Georgia and Italy at home in July, before playing the revamped Pacific Nations Cup alongside Canada, the United States, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in August and September. In October, the Brave Blossoms host the All Blacks before they head to Europe.

The Japan U20s are also in Edinburgh, Scotland preparing for the World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament which starts in July.

Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024 – Japan XV vs Maori All Blacks Matches

Japan XV vs Maori All Blacks Match 1 Squads 29th June 2024

Japan XV vs Maori All Blacks Match 1 Squad

The team representing Japan XV to play the Maori All Blacks is Co-Captained by starting hooker, Mamoru Harada, who earned his first cap last weekend against England, and 20-cap replacement scrumhalf, Naoto Saito, who starts the match on the reserves bench.

Of the matchday-23, eight players are yet to be capped, while 12 of those already capped have featured in less than 10 test matches each for the Brave Blossoms, including five who played their maiden test in the loss to England in June 2024.

Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones said, “This team is not the Japan test team. Its purpose is to give opportunities to younger players to come through and we want to see what level they’re at against a Māori All Blacks side that is one of the strongest non-test teams in the world. Where going to get a good benchmark of where the younger players are at, and for those who played against England, it’s an opportunity to get some more game time, particularly for those who haven’t played a lot of League One games.”

Maori All Blacks vs Japan XV – Match 1 Squad

Japan XV vs Maori All Blacks Match 2 Squads 6th July 2024

Japan XV vs Maori All Blacks Match 2 Squad

Maori All Blacks vs Japan XV Match 2 Squad