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Jamie Joseph recalls World Cup stalwart for Japan's clash against France
By AAP
Japan coach Jamie Joseph has recalled World Cup stalwart Wimpie van der Walt to his second row for Saturday's rugby test against France at Toyota Stadium as he looks to match the Six Nations champions at the set piece.
There were six changes to the team that routed Uruguay 43-7 last weekend as halfback Naoto Saito, hooker Shota Horie and fullback Ryuji Noguchi withdrew from the squad due to being in "poor condition", the Japan Rugby Football Union said.
South African-born winger Gerhard van den Heever keeps his starting spot after scoring a try on debut against Uruguay at the age of 33 last week.
Hooker Atsushi Sakate will lead the team for the second time in the first of two tests against the French, while Takuya Yamasawa will again run the backline from flyhalf.
"The first thing we have to do is match their set piece, or better it," Joseph said in a news release.
"They're very strong in the line out and at scrum time and they play a power game. This is what France will bring to the match, and we've got to be able to handle that.
"Our game plan will be to keep the ball in play and attack them at every opportunity, while being mindful that we need to strike the right balance and understand that the heat is going to play a big part."
Japan have never beaten France but drew 23-23 with the three times World Cup finalists in Nanterre the last time they met in 2017.
Japan: 15-Ryohei Yamanaka, 14-Gerhard Van Den Heever, 13-Dylan Riley, 12-Shogo Nakano, 11-Siosaia Fifita, 10-Takuya Yamasawa, 9-Kaito Shigeno, 8-Tevita Tatafu, 7-Ben Gunter, 6-Michael Leitch, 5-Jack Cornelsen, 4-Wimpie van der Walt, 3-Asaeli Ai Valu, 2-Atsushi Sakate, 1-Keita Inagaki.
Replacements: 16-Daigo Hashimoto, 17-Yukio Morikawa, 18-Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19-Warner Dearns, 20-Faulua Makisi, 21-Daiki Nakajima, 22-Lee Seung-Shin, 23-Taichi Takahashi.
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Latest Comments
Yep NZ national u85 team is touring there atm I think (or just has).
Go to commentsWhat are they gonna do with the 500k and what does that achieve? They could dump the whole side and pick amateurs and save 10million, but what is that going to achieve?
The problem it feels like to me is I didn't hear what Gatland is going to do in order to win the 6N next year. How is he helping the problem. It just sounds like they're expecting miracles and for Gatland to turn around the national teams results, but what good is that when you're not fixing any of the problems and you'll just be back where you were when Gatland and the old players leave?
I think you are totally wrong in your stance. Wales abosolutely need to spend that 500k by investing in their future, it just doesn't sound like theyre giving Gatland any more resources to do it with. They're not using that 500k very well.
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