Lappies to captain Japan
NEWS: Japan will have a debutant leading them when they play host to Fiji in the first round of the Pacific Nations Cup.
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named South African-born Pieter ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne as captain for the tantalising clash.
Labuschagne, who is a former Bulls and Cheetahs player, moved to Japan in 2016 to play for the Kubota Spears. He has also represented the Sunwolves in Super Rugby.
Labuschagne will be joined by Kazuki Himeno and Amanaki Mafi in the back row, creating a powerful trio. Michael Leitch, who has been out of action for over seven months with a chronic groin injury, will be poised to come off the bench later in the match.
【日本代表】
7月27日（土）に行われる「リポビタンDチャレンジカップ パシフィックネーションズ2019日本ラウンド」フィジー代表戦に出場する、日本代表の試合登録メンバー23名が決定しました→https://t.co/fzX2SfgDVx#rugbyjp #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/BzvlW67eNW— 日本ラグビーフットボール協会 (@JRFUMedia) July 25, 2019
Lock James Moore will also be playing his first test match for the Brave Blossoms and will partner experienced campaigner Luke Thompson. Thompson is the seven most capped Japanese representative of all time, with 64 caps to his name.
In the front row, Shota Horie will pack down at hooker and will be sandwiched by Keita Inagaki and Asaeli Ai Valu. All three front rowers have represented the Sunwolves as well as Robbie Dean’s Panasonic Wild Knights.
It’s under 24 hours until FIJI’S TIME in Japan when our @FijiAirways Flying Fijians take on the Brave Blossoms in the opening round of their @WorldRugby Pacific Nations Cup defence. Take a good look at who is stepping onto field bearing the White Jersey for our team#itsfijistime pic.twitter.com/ioCiWqFX4T
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) July 25, 2019
In the backs, the well-travelled pairing of Kaito Shigeno and Yu Tamura will be expected to guide proceedings in the halves. Ryoto Nakamura and Timothy Lafaele will resume their midfield partnership which reaped plenty of reward during last season’s end of year internationals.
The 30-cap outside back Kotaro Matsushima has made few appearances for Japan in recent seasons but will return on the right wing. He will combine with Kenki Fukuoka and Will Tupuo.
“We are fit and ready to go,” said Joseph of his team.
“Fiji have really improved in lots of areas. They still love their unstructured rugby and are really dangerous and threatening from broken play and they are full of athletes who can all offload.”
Japan will conclude their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with fixtures against Tonga and the USA.
USA, Canada to continue rivalry
Meanwhile, Canada and the United States, both bound for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, renew their rivalry on Saturday at Denver in their opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup.
“The PNCs are a great team-building effort and an exercise in building continuity and cohesion going into the World Cup,” said Canada coach Kingsley Jones.
“Exciting games coming up and we’ll find out a lot about each other,” he added.
ROSTER: Get ready @USARugby, we’re coming for you 🚂 💨
Tune in this Saturday, July 27 for 🇨🇦’s opening match of the #PNC2019 on @TSN_Sports 🏉🍁 #RugbyCA #RC15s
💻LIVE on https://t.co/TunmtIjwnS TSN app- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
📺 Delayed on TSN1- 11 PM ET/8 PM PT pic.twitter.com/IykuNcVNdY— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) July 26, 2019
The Americans, ranked 15th, defeated Canada 30-25 in March in Seattle in the Americas Rugby Championship. The Eagles will face the 21st-ranked Canadians for the 62nd time, with Canada leading the all-time rivalry 38-21 and three drawn.
US coach Gary Gold has guided a four-week training camp in Colorado’s high-altitude grounds and welcomes a line-up with Sale Sharks flyhalf A.J. MacGinty and London Irish centre Bryce Campbell, US Sevens players Martin Iosefo and Madison Hughes as well as 11 players from US-based Major League Rugby.
“We’ve had a very productive month from a training perspective, and we know that we will see a really well-coached and prepared Canadian side,” Gold said.
“We know what we saw in Seattle was only a taste of what this Canada side can do and with Rugby World Cup in the forefront of everyone’s minds this match will be no different.
“It’s absolutely critical we remain disciplined through this game and continue to make the right decisions in tight situations.”
Canada’s line-up includes captain Tyler Ardon of Super Rugby side the Chiefs, DTH van der Merwe of the Glasgow Warriors and Castres’ Taylor Paris.
In the Pacific Nations Cup, Pool A features the United States, Fiji and Tonga with Pool B including Canada, Japan and Samoa.
Teams play three matches against countries from the opposite pool and whichever among the six compiles the most points takes the title.
#NEWS | USA Men’s National Team XVs name match roster to face Canada in opener of #PNC2019 this Saturday in Glendale, CO.
KO at 6 PM MT on NBC Sports Gold.
PREVIEW » https://t.co/SoD2i2H6Tr
TICKETS » https://t.co/6qUUIMt03G#EaglesUnited 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LOcjMrChpR— USA Rugby (@USARugby) July 25, 2019
Teams receive four points for a win or two for a draw and a bonus point for losing by less than seven points or scoring four tries in a match.
The US squad will meet Samoa and Japan in Fiji while Canada plays Fiji and Tonga next month. The Americans and Canadians are also set for a September 7 meeting in Vancouver ahead of their trip to Japan for the Rugby World Cup.
“We’re in every way focused on preparation for Rugby World Cup,” Gold said.
“But, before that, we have four very important Test matches and a responsibility to deliver a competitive performance in every one of them.”
Pacific Nations Cup Round One Fixtures:
Saturday, July 27:
Tonga v Samoa
Venue: Apia Park, Apia
Kick-off: 15.00; 02.00 GMT
Fiji v Japan
Venue: Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi
Kick-off: 14.50; 05.50 GMT
USA v Canada
Venue: Infinity Park, Glendale
Kick-off: 18.00; 00.00 GMT Sunday, July 28
@RugbyPass & AFP
