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Michael Leitch ready to lead Japan into another rugby ‘revolution’

Jones can still rely on the inspirational Michael Leitch, 17 years on from his Test debut (Photo Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Michael Leitch is looking forward to leading the Brave Blossoms into a new era of ‘Chosoku’ rugby, starting with this Saturday’s eagerly awaited match with England in Tokyo, which is live and exclusive on RPTV.

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Blindside Leitch will captain Japan for the 37th time in his 85th test appearance having not worn the armband since Japan lost 39-31 to Ireland in July 2021.

He led Japan for the majority of Eddie Jones’ first spell with the Brave Blossoms and it was his brave call to go for a scrum penalty rather than kick for goal, that proved pivotal in Japan pulling off the greatest shock in Rugby World Cup history.

Leitch, how in his 16th year of Test rugby, was rewarded for that decision when Karne Hesketh scored to hand Japan a famous 34-32 win against the Springboks in Brighton in 2015, and four years later he led the team into the quarter-finals for the first time with victory against Scotland.

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Unable to reproduce the sort of thrilling rugby that they’d become renowned for, Japan failed to make it beyond the pool stages at last year’s tournament in France.

But Jones is determined to restore Japan’s reputation for playing a high-tempo game, branded ‘Chosoku’ rugby and take the concept even further, so that quick ball movement and positive intent is seen in every facet of their play.

Leitch, for one, cannot wait to put it out there on the park.

“I am very much looking forward to the England game. Our team is very young and full of energy, and we have wonderful coaching staff and have had fulfilling 10 days in Miyazaki camp with them,” he said.

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“This is our first opportunity to challenge (the opposition) with our ‘Chosoku’ (super-fast) Rugby. I hope we can make a good challenge and show the Japan brand of rugby.

“This is an opportunity for us to play with our ‘Chosoku’ rugby against a strong side. The game has 80 minutes, where control (of the game) is important, and I would like to set my focus on to that.

“You have to win at breakdowns or you cannot play ‘Chosoku’ rugby. We have plans and will work hard.”

As Jones has highlighted in the past, playing fast is about not only moving fast but thinking fast, too. And while Leitch is facing a battle with old father time to make it to a record-equalling fifth Rugby World Cup in 2027, the 36-year-old looked sharp during Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo’s League One title-winning campaign.

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“When I was told (about the captaincy), I thought I wanted to take it. I would like to work alongside Eddie to build new ‘Chosoku’ rugby and make a revolution together with Eddie,” he said.

“Of course, I am feeling the responsibility and feeling proud of serving as captain. I have desires to win with this team and that desire for winning a game is strongest. We have prepared for winning and are ready for that. We are confident.”

 

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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