What Opta’s Data Says About Japan’s Performance Against Chile At RWC 2023

Opta releases a wide set of data looking at each match at Rugby World Cup 2023 as well as specific teams and individuals. We look at the Opta Data RWC 2023 for the performance analysis of Japan in their win over Chile which makes for some interesting reading.

Feature Image – TOULOUSE, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 10: Kotaro Matsushima of Japan jumps over the tackle of Clemente Saavedra of Chile during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Japan and Chile at Stadium de Toulouse on September 10, 2023 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Justin Setterfield – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The final score, which is the one stat that always counts, was in the Brave Blossom’s favour by the end of the match in Toulouse on Sunday afternoon but the detailed Opta and Capgemini data will provide more information for the coaches to work with as they prepare for England in Nice this coming weekend with the match due to be played in the evening at 9pm local time.

The stats from the Chilean match showed Japan, as is their style, planned to move the ball wide and get the pill into the hands of their outside backs. The team is known for their speed and fitness and three players; Kotaro Matsushima, Jone Naikabula and Semisi Masirewa made the most carries and meters gained for the Brave Blossoms

Chile, however, made more tackle breaks and advanced more upfield with ball in hand. Yutaka Nagare, captain on the day for Japan said they struggled at times with the physicality of the South Americans, “It’s great to see all the fans supporting us today, it’s a great atmosphere. We struggled a little bit against the Chileans’ physicality but we executed our gameplan which was great for us.”

That would be a concern with England, Samoa, and Argentina coming up and you can see some more of the opening round data highlights here.

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

The Opta data shows that of the 8 games played, Japan achieved the fifth-most linebreaks (7), third-fewest offloads (3), and second-best gainline success (62%) – with only Ireland achieving better stats.

Rucks were fiercely competitive and Japan had the second-fastest ruck speed (3.21s) and the second-most rucks under 2s (47%). Interestingly Chile also had the second-most rucks in total (103) and still averaged the third-fastest ruck speed of anyone (3.30s) which shows how fast and competitive that area of the game was. Chile also won the most turnovers at the breakdown of any team (6).

Other positives  for Japan were:

• Second-best efficiency in the red zone (attacking within the opponent 22m) (4.20).
• Played with the highest territory (66%) advantage
• Made the most dominant tackles (19).
• Won the second-most turnovers (9).

Japan Player Opta/Capgeminini stats vs Chile RWC 2023 – Sunday, September 10

For the forwards, Japan won the most scrums overall (11) and the pack won the third-most lineouts overall (13), They also disrupted the Chilean lineout very well and the Los Condores lost the most lineouts (5) in the opening round of matches. The Japanese had the third-best success (93%) and won the joint-most steals (3) with Georgia.

Japan’s 42-12 win made no difference to the World Rugby rankings rating of either team.

Rugby World Cup France 2023 News

• Japan vs Chile Preview – RWC 2023 Pool D Pool Match.
• Rugby World Cup 2023 – The Ultimate Fans Guide.
• How French Rugby At All Levels Can Benefit From RWC 2023.
• What Have The Brave Blossoms Players Been Saying At RWC 2023?