What Opta’s Data Says About Japan’s Loss Against England At RWC 2023

We review Opta’s data from the RWC 2023 performance analysis of Japan in their loss to England in Pool D in Nice on Sunday 17th September.

Kotaro Matsushima said following the frustrating loss to England that “a couple of boys will be more confident. It wasn’t a bad-looking loss, so we just keep going and play with confidence in the next two games and focus on the Samoa game.”

The Brave Blossoms have a few days on the southern French coast before they continue their preparations for Samoa on Thursday, 28 September which will be played in Toulouse. The coaches will probably be deep-diving into the data on how they can tweak things for the remaining matches which are all now finals if they plan to make the quarterfinals.

The side will know this is one that got away after applying so much good pressure only to let the chances slip away. “Once we did have England under the pump, we just had to put the foot down. We’d get there or thereabouts and cough it up. Big teams know how to squeeze you out with pressure. They eventually did in the end but I don’t think the scoreline reflects how tight the game was. It was a good game,” said Lomano Lemeki.

The ruthlessness was lacking and the Brave Blossoms were 16th (last) for positive outcomes with only 63% completion in the match.

Japan’s Team and Player  Opta Data RWC 2023 vs England

• On the negatives, Japan averaged the second-fewest carries per game (82), but also had limited metres made, defenders beaten or  offloads – which combined in the
• In attack, they had the fifth-most line breaks per game (5).
• Brave Blossoms had the 5th fastest ruck speed (3.46s) and third-most under two seconds (39%) – they also
• had the most turnovers won per game (11).
• The set piece stood up well and they won the most scrums per game in total (8.5).
• Defence was key and in the last quarter they had to handle waves of attacks, and in total, made the second-most tackles per game (161) – the positive is that they also enjoyed the joint most dominant hits with Italy (12).
• They knew limited Ford’s boot was key and the Japanse to their credit had the fewest penalties conceded overall (7) and fewest in attack, just two per game.

Image Credit: Opta/Capgemini – Japan Player stats vs England RWC 2023 – Sunday, September 17 2023

England’s Team and Player  Opta Data RWC 2023 vs Japan Brave Blossoms

• England. likewise had very good discipline – and conceded the fourth fewest penalties (8.5 per game).
• The English were made to work hard for their points and had average red zone returns.
• Rucks are a problem area and the English are only just ahead of Argentina who have won fewer turnovers per game (3).

Image Credit – Player Opta/Capgeminini stats Japan vs England RWC 2023 – Sunday, September 17

Jamie Joseph remains confident and said of the spirit despite the loss, “The heart of the team is really sound. We’ve got great leadership, and a lot of experience, but it’s a sad lesson because you’ve got to create opportunities when they come.”

It should be noted that Ryohei Yamanaka joined the Japan squad for the Rugby World Cup 2023 as an injury replacement for outside-back Semisi Masirewa.

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