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Japan player ratings vs England | 2024 Lipovitan D Challenge Cup
By Josh Raisey
Eddie Jones’ inexperienced Japan side may have slumped to a 52-17 loss in Tokyo, but there were performances that would have pleased the coach in his first game back.
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Debuts were handed out galore, but the Brave Blossoms looked like the more composed outfit early on as they made a blistering start.
England bounced back and took control of the game, but Jones has been left with some positives. Here’s how the players rated:
15 Yoshitaka Yazaki – 5.5
For a player making his first-class debut, let alone his international debut, the 20-year-old Yazaki had a busy start with plenty of ball in hand. Faded slightly before leaving the field on 54 minutes.
14 Jone Naikabula – 5
Got himself into the game well- making breaks, hitting rucks and winning penalties. That high work rate did mean he made some errors, and he will not want to rewatch his attempt to stop Marcus Smith as the England fly-half scored his try (albeit he was slightly off balance).
13 Samisoni Tua – 5
Thrust into the starting XV for his debut having originally been slated to start on the bench, and showed what a powerful presence he can be in the midfield for Japan.
12 Tomoki Osada – 4
Was tasked with stopping Ollie Lawrence, which he was called upon to do on plenty of occasions and did a stellar job. The finger of blame could be pointed at him for a couple of England tries though, including leaving a gap for Alex Mitchell to exploit shortly after the break, which the England scrum-half obligingly sniped through, and being caught in no man’s land for the crossfield kick to Henry Slade.
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11 Koga Nezuka – 4.5
Didn’t force his way into the game as much as Naikabula, but did bag a try.
10 Seungsin Lee – 4
A mixed outing from the fly-half. Showed some nice footwork when carrying and brought his outside backs into the game, but his kicking at times was loose and didn’t put England under enough pressure. Will regret voluntarily stepping into the right shoulder of Chandler Cunningham-South and subsequently knocking the ball on, which is not recommended for anyone.
9 Naoto Saito – 6
Saito was the linchpin in Japan’s whirlwind start early on, masterfully bringing his forwards into the game around the fringes in an ultra-high tempo start. Tried his best to continue doing so as England gained a physical superiority up front, but found it harder and harder.
1 Takayoshi Mohara – 5
A tough ask on debut up against a wily tighthead like Dan Cole, and while he made a decent start, Jones wisely took him off as he was starting to crack under the pressure of the England scrum.
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2 Mamoru Harada – 5.5
A flawless lineout display is exactly what every hooker wants on debut.
3 Shuhei Takeuchi – 4
Despite winning an early penalty up against Bevan Rodd, he struggled against the Sale Sharks loosehead at scrum time thereafter. A strong defensive showing, but props will inevitably be judged on the scrumming performance.
4 Sanaila Waqa – 4.5
A display that was not without ill-discipline, but also took the fight to England up front, including a powerful counterruck on his line to dispossess England.
5 Warner Dearns – 8
The 22-year-old New Zealand-born lock showed not only what a serious athlete he is, but that he has a very bright future in red and white. Produced a pass that any fly-half would be proud of to set up Nezuka’s try and grabbed his second assist moments later with an athletic one-handed take leading to a break.
6 Michael Leitch – 7
Back captaining the side under Eddie Jones, and for the 37th time overall, and was integral in executing Jones’ gameplan early on, offloading in contact to almost put Faulua Makisi in for a try. Didn’t let up in his efforts despite England’s ascendency, and topped his side’s carrying and tackle count.
7 Tiennan Costley – 6.5
Was joint top alongside Leitch and Makisi in Japan’s tackle count, with ten, despite playing 20 minutes fewer than his back row teammates.
8 Faulua Makisi – 6
Carried a lot and came closest to scoring for the Brave Blossoms in the first half. Was required to roll his sleeves up defensively in the second stanza rather than getting the ball in his hands.
Replacements
16 Atsushi Sakate – 5
Got through plenty of defensive work after coming on.
17 Shogo Miura – 5
Came on when Japan’s scrum was under pressure, but will be relieved his scrummaging was not put under the microscope as much as the starting props.
18 Keijiro Tamefusa – 5
A solid, if quiet, debut for Japan.
19 Amanaki Saumaki -5
Nothing of note from his 25-minute stint from the bench.
20 Kai Yamamoto – 6
Great break to set the platform Japan’s first try, showing some nice footwork and power. Made a statement from the bench on debut.
21 Shinobu Fujiwara – 7
Antoine Dupont is not the only scrum-half who can win breakdown penalties. Looked threatening after coming on as Japan enjoyed some of their best passages of play.
22 Rikiya Matsuda – 6
A well-rounded display for his 20-minute cameo.
23 Takuya Yamasawa – 6
Got a try after coming on, although the leg work was done by Dearns.
It must hurt so much to have lost the Lipovitan-D challenge cup!
England are looking pretty sharp. Much as it pains me to say it, I reckon they'll take first blood in Dunedin. Crazy scheduling from the ABs perspective. New coach, lost hundreds of caps, haven't played since the WC. Quite the challenge.