Japan’s Rugby Team Embraces Jones’ Fast-Paced Strategy Ahead of England Match

Eddie Jones has secured four victories in his ten matches since assuming leadership of the Japanese team at the beginning of 2024. The upcoming Autumn Nations Series match between England and Japan is scheduled for Sunday, November 24, with a 16:10 GMT kick-off at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Coverage will be available via live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, as well as live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. According to hooker Mamoru Harada, a “turbocharged” Japan will only consider their performance successful if they achieve an upset victory against England on Sunday, a result that would extend England’s current losing streak. In their last encounter in June, England secured a decisive 52-17 win over the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo. Harada, however, expressed his belief that former England head coach Eddie Jones’ concept of ‘chosoku [super-fast] rugby’ is starting to materialize during the Australian’s second tenure leading Japan. Harada stated, “The game in June was our first game of this campaign and the team was very young.” He added, “We have experienced 10 games now this year and we will show a different Japan this weekend.” Concluding his remarks, Harada emphasized, “Only victory will be success this weekend.” England’s last victory was against Japan in the summer, followed by three losses to New Zealand and subsequent defeats by Australia and the reigning world champions, South Africa. Jones, renowned for orchestrating Japan’s significant upset victory against the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, has made speed, both in strategy and execution, a primary focus since succeeding Jamie Joseph in January. Following his appointment, Jones articulated his vision, stating, “We want it to be a core identity of Japanese rugby.” He elaborated, “So you play against South Africa, you know it’s going to be physical. When you play against New Zealand, they’re the best counter-attacking team in the world. So we want to develop Japan into the best team at playing fast rugby.” Centre Siosaia Fifita commented on the intensity of the training, saying, “When I first came into the camp, I didn’t know the training was going to be so hard and tough – harder than before – but I have enjoyed it.” Opeti Helu, who represents Kubota Spears in club rugby and qualifies for Japan through residency, made his national debut against New Zealand earlier this month. Reflecting on the June match, Helu stated, “Watching the game in June, I thought Japan played really well, with good tempo, in the first 20 minutes against England, but I now understand that you when you are playing this style you get really fatigued.” He continued, “It is tough, but it is our style, and something we can feel strong about.” Helu also noted, “We are also focused on our physicality because we are against the big boys of England.” When questioned about Jones’s demeanor before the match, Helu added, “Maybe he is very excited too!” Japan’s squad for this autumn includes star number eight Kazuki Himeno, who was absent from the June fixture, as well as centre Dylan Riley and prop Opeti Helu, both of whom are former Australia age-grade internationals. Harada offered his assessment of Helu, who stands 6ft 3in tall and weighs 20 stone, remarking, “He is really big and once we can start using his strength, we can really be destructive.” Harada further noted, “But he also really needs to get used to the Japanese height and scrum low – once he can improve that area, he can really be a powerful scrummager.”