Fresh injury woes for Japan

Injury-hit Japan have been forced to call up two new players – Ippei Asada and Bryce Robins – to replace scrumhalf Tomoki Yoshida and centre Yuta Imamura.

Both players suffered injuries in the loss to New Zealand last Friday and were forced to return home.

Robins, a former Hurricanes centre and originally from Taranaki, New Zealand, has secured a two-year contract with Honda in the southern Japanese city of Suzuka, while Asada plays for Toyota.

Japan’s next Pool A match against Tonga is at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei, on Wednesday.

John Kirwan’s squad had already lost two players prior to the match against the All Blacks.

Number eight Ryukoliniasi Holani was ruled out with a knee injury, while lock Justin Ives had to head home before his side’s first match after failing to recover from a left knee injury.

AFP