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'You don't want to come across arrogant or cocky but we had a lot of belief in our gameplan'

Conor Murray

Jamie Joseph has praised the courage of his Japan players following their momentous 19-12 victory over Ireland, revealing they had been preparing for the match for three years.

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Saturday’s victory, which is on a par with Japan’s famous win over South Africa four years ago, has set the Rugby World Cup alight and put the hosts in pole position to qualify from Pool A.

Joseph, who could not suppress a beaming smile throughout his post-match news conference, said his players were more prepared than their opponents.

“The Irish team is a quality rugby side but we have been preparing for this game for a hell of a lot longer than the Irish have,” said Joseph, who was installed as Japan boss in 2016.

“We have been focusing on today for basically… well the last year at least but probably sub-consciously for the last three years and Ireland have been thinking about it since Monday.

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“So we probably had an advantage in that so we just had to execute properly.”

Both teams came into the match off the back of victories, Ireland beating Scotland on Sunday two days after Japan had overcome Russia in the World Cup opener.

But Japan had none of the nerves they had shown in the first game and, although they were 12-3 down at one stage, Joseph believes the players showed great control to shut out the Irish in the second half.

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“All teams go to certain patterns under pressure so when we got ahead, then the Irish tried to take us on physically and I think we were prepared for that,” said Joseph.

“The players showed real courage and were able to hold out some tough Irish attacks.
“It is those moments in big games of rugby that win you the game. I am really proud of our boys.”

“You’ve just got be careful before the game, you don’t want to come across arrogant or cocky but we had a lot of belief in our gameplan, we knew what we wanted to do. We also knew how strong Ireland were.

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Japan were relentless in defence, led by lock James Moore who made 23 tackles without missing one, and flanker Pieter Labuschagne, who was captain in the absence of Michael Leitch.

Labuschagne, who has now made a tournament-leading 36 tackles, epitomised the Brave Blossoms’ stout defence in the closing stages.

“It was wave after wave coming at us, especially in the second half,” said Labuschagne. “It took a special effort from everyone getting back in line, getting back up.

“Everyone knew exactly what they had to do and we just had to go out there and do it. I am really proud of everyone. It was a massive effort.”

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NH 19 minutes ago
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

Nice one john - hit all the main pts. Physicality, kicking game and the kick chase/receipt in particular, and lineout which has not been highlighted enough imo, it was a huge momentum killer in the 1st half for the wallabies. Obviously skelton and valetini are irreplaceable as individuals, but I don’t agree that schmidt couldn’t have picked a more physcial pack and that he got his selections wrong. As you say slipper put in a great shift and for mine Allan was probably the best player in gold, but Bell should’ve started to help fill the valetini-sized ball carrying hole. Lukhan isn’t the specimen skelton is, but he is a hell of alot closer to it than jeremy williams who toiled, but was outclassed wheres lukhan has had 3 good shifts against the lions now. Its telling that pete samu has seemingly been dropped into the squad overnight, who would’ve been a step up in weight class and experience to Nick CDC also. Re Mcreight: I thought he was also in the wallabies top 5 performers to be honest, yes he dropped some ball, but he was critical defensively at the breakdown and lions probably would’ve had another try if he was off the field. I think the call went out at halftime to shut him down, because anytime he went near a ruck the lions flooded about 4 blokes into it to nullify him at the expense of quick ball, knowing they can go again at the next ruck such was his presence.

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