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Japan make just two important changes for Samoa challenge
By Grant Constable
Japan's head coach, Jamie Joseph, has revealed the lineup for their upcoming clash against Samoa in Pool D, scheduled at Stadium de Toulouse on September 28.
In the starting XV, Dylan Riley takes the outside-center spot from Tomoki Osada, while Lomano Lemeki steps in for the injured Semisi Masiresa as full-back. These are the only changes from their last game against England, which ended in a 34-12 loss.
Lemeki returns as a starter for the first time since October 23, 2021, when they faced Australia. In the previous match against England, he made a significant impact off the bench, gaining 54 meters, the second-highest for Japan.
Japan fields four players who've faced Samoa in both RWC 2015 and 2019 – Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki, Michael Leitch, and Kotaro Matsushima.
Amato Fakatava had a standout debut against Samoa this year, making 90 meters, beating six defenders, and not missing a tackle, completing all 10 attempts. Jack Cornelsen has been strong in the lineout, with two steals against Samoa and four in RWC 2023, alongside Michael Leitch, the only forwards to play every minute in the tournament so far.
Seungsin Lee could make his RWC debut, after scoring 17 points against Samoa in July, converting all six attempts from the tee.
JAPAN TEAM TO FACE SAMOA AT STADIUM DE TOULOUSE
1 Keita Inagaki
2 Shota Horie
3 Jiwon Gu
4 Jack Cornelsen
5 Amato Fakatava
6 Michael Leitch
7 Pieter Labuschagne
8 Kazuki Himeno (c)
9 Yutaka Nagare
10 Rikiya Matsuda
11 Jone Naikabula
12 Ryoto Nakamura
13 Dylan Riley
14 Kotaro Matsushima
15 Lomano Lemeki
Replacements:
16 Atsushi Sakate
17 Craig Millar
18 Asaeli Ai Valu
19 Warner Dearns
20 Kanji Shimokawa
21 Naoto Saito
22 Seungsin Lee
23 Tomoki Osada
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Latest Comments
Who, Berry?! His rudeness to Kolisi, our freaking captain, was there for all to see!! Utterly disgraceful.
Erm, I only had one statement - as in 'only one full stop' so not sure where the 'irrelevance' comes in?
Go to commentsLet's be clear: Foster did not back unaquivocally players such as Vaa'i, Tamaiti and Roigard. Yes, he selected them in the squad, but it's a stretch to say he backed them. Those three players have only been backed fully this year (and thrived) under the new regime. There was massive hesitation to give those three guys serious game time in games of consequence.
It's another not-so-subtle dig from the old dynasty at any achievements Razor may be credited for.
Roigard in particular was a mind-baffling omission from the finals of the WC. After being the AB's best player against SA in the pre-WC match, he was not sighted in the big games that followed. Roigard is the type of guy who can win a game with a moment of brilliance, yet the established but uninspiring Christie was preferred to close out a close WC final.
So please, Fozzie, spare us the barely veiled laments about your unfair treatment and unseen achievements. The fact you feel you have to point them out is telling in itself. And it shows that despite saying you've moved on, you and your mate Hansen most definitely haven't.
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