Pace and possession key to Japan’s success at World Cup, says Eddie Jones
Brave Blossoms coach wants 2015 Asian champions to perfect their own style of play instead of trying to copy top teams
Possession and playing at pace will be the key ingredients for Japan at the Rugby World Cup, according to head coach Eddie Jones, who is mapping out a strategy he hopes will enable his charges to spring a surprise or two this September in England.
Jones, who has used the Asia Rugby Championship - which concluded on Saturday - to run the rule over his squad, believes Japan can create history at the World Cup by making it through the pool stages for the first time if they stick to their own style rather than trying to mimic others.
We have to play our unique brand of rugby. The strength of Japanese rugby has always been to move the ball at pace
"We have to play our unique brand of rugby. The strength of Japanese rugby has always been to move the ball at pace.
"While other teams mostly use a territory-based game, we need to play a possession-based game, keeping the ball in hand as much as we can and move the defence around," Jones said.
The former Wallabies coach, who has been in charge of the Brave Blossoms since 2012, is confident that if Japan hone their competitive edge they can make a huge impact.
Jones said he expects 10 changes to the squad who fronted up against Hong Kong on Saturday.
"The next three months will be crucial. We are probably 23 per cent ready now. If we can improve by one per cent every day until September 19 we should be alright. How much we are going to improve over the next three months is what will count in the end," Jones said.
