Scotland v Japan, 23 September

    
SCOTLAND V JAPAN
23 September 2015
KO: 14:30 BST
Kingsholm, Gloucester

Live on [tbc]

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) & Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

A. Head to Head

4 Played 4
4 Won 0
0 Drawn 0
0 Lost 4
221 Points 45

B. Recent Form

09 Nov 2013
Scotland 42 - 17 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

13 Nov 2004
Scotland 100 - 8 Japan
McDiarmid Park, Perth

12 Oct 2003
Scotland 32 - 11 Japan
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville

05 Oct 1991
Scotland 47 - 9 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

C. Teams

SCOTLAND

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Tommy Seymour
13 Mark Bennett
12 Matt Scott
11 Sean Lamont
10 Finn Russell
09 Greig Laidlaw (c)

01 Ali Dickinson
02 Ross Ford
03 Willem Nel
04 Grant Gilchrist
05 Jonny Gray
06 Ryan Wilson
07 John Hardie
08 David Denton

16 Fraser Brown
17 Ryan Grant
18 Jon Welsh
19 Richie Gray
20 Joshua Strauss
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Peter Horne
23 Sean Maitland

JAPAN

01- Keita Inagaki
02- Shota Horie
03- Hiroshi Yamashita
04- Luke Thompson
05- Justin Ives
06- Michael Leitch (captain)
07- Michael Broadhurst
08- Amanaki Mafi

09- Fumiaki Tanaka
10- Harumichi Tatekawa
11- Kenki Fukuoka
12- Yu Tamura
13- Male Sa'u
14- Kotaro Matsushima
15- Ayumu Goromaru

16- Takeshi Kizu
17- Masataka Mikami
18- Kensuke Hatakeyama
19- Shinya Makabe
20- Shoji Ito
21- Hendrik Tui
22- Atsushi Hiwasa
23- Karne Hesketh

When is the team announcement ?

Monday or Tuesday I suspect.

Japan by 8

dallym wrote:Japan by 8

Thank you that's most helpful...

The main issue for Scotland here is how to rotate the squad given the 4 day turnaround for the USA game.

I would go for

Dickinson, Ford, Nel
Gilchrist, Gray Snr
Wilson, Denton, Hardie

Laidlaw, Weir
Scott, Vernon
Visser, Hogg & Maitland

Bench – Reid, Bryce, Welsh, Gray Jnr, Strauss, Pyrgos, Russell & Seymour.

The way I see it, either Hogg or Maitland (and Hardie, unless Brown plays 7 against USA) are going to have to start both games. Given Maitland is only just back from injury, I think it will be Hogg.

Scotland by at least 20.

Disagree with you there WeegieWiz. The 1st XV should start the game and get 60 minutes together. If it's going well then key players can be subbed on 60 mins. Strauss also needs to play 80 minutes for obvious reasons.

This is my take:

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.J Gray 5.R Gray 6.Strauss 7.Hardie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Russell 11.Seymour 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Reid 17.Brown 18.Welsh 19.Gilchrist 20.Wilson 21.SH-C 22.Weir 23.Lamont

Subs on 60 mins (on the basis that Japan can't catch up):

Brown for Ford
Reid for Dickinson
Gilchrist for J Gray
Wilson for Denton (with Strauss moving to 8 with Wilson at 6)
SH-C for Laidlaw
Weir for Russell (Weir takes over the kicking)
Lamont for Hogg (with Lamont going to the left wing, Seymour to the right wing and Maitland getting 20 minutes at 15)

Yeah I think I agree with FES on this one.  With any luck we can put a decent score on Japan and give some of the players a rest around 40-60 mins.  At the same time we can’t underestimate Japan as they are an improving side.  We should win, but we can’t expect to win, if you know what I mean.  I think we’ve fallen into the trap previously of taking wins against the smaller nations (in rugby terms) for granted and struggled because they’re up for the match and we’re not.  Play with the same intensity that we had against Italy in the 2nd test and France and we should win comfortably.

I know it's been done to death but the poor selections in the pack really do look to cause us difficulties against the USA. We will need to rotate for that game, and I just don't like the idea of a pack including Welsh, Swinson, Strokosch and potentially Wilson at 7. These just aren't the best players we could have put out.

Thing is, by putting out a full strength team against Japan saying we want to respect the opposition, we will need to play a much weaker team against USA. While Japan are probably better than the USA, I don't think there is all that much between them. USA actually beat them in the PNC a couple of months ago.

I think it is better to put out a 75% strength team in both games (if you forgive my maths)

Lacey and Clownshoes officiating FFS

We're doomed, doomed I say.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Disagree with you there WeegieWiz. The 1st XV should start the game and get 60 minutes together. If it's going well then key players can be subbed on 60 mins. Strauss also needs to play 80 minutes for obvious reasons.

This is my take:

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.J Gray 5.R Gray 6.Strauss 7.Hardie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Russell 11.Seymour 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Reid 17.Brown 18.Welsh 19.Gilchrist 20.Wilson 21.SH-C 22.Weir 23.Lamont

Subs on 60 mins (on the basis that Japan can't catch up):

Brown for Ford
Reid for Dickinson
Gilchrist for J Gray
Wilson for Denton (with Strauss moving to 8 with Wilson at 6)
SH-C for Laidlaw
Weir for Russell (Weir takes over the kicking)
Lamont for Hogg (with Lamont going to the left wing, Seymour to the right wing and Maitland getting 20 minutes at 15)

I think Fes is just about spot on here.

We need to see this as a knock-out match because if we lose this one it'll be very difficult to get back on track. So, just like the Boks, we put out our strongest side and hammer the opposition. Then we see who's available for the USA match.

15. Hogg/ bring on NoMaits as so as we're feeling safe. Maitland should then start against USA
14. Schlong... BVC seems very keen on picking the bigger laddie all other things being equal
13.Bennett.. Richie V can start against the USA
12 Furra Linee... Family Sized made too many errors v France, he can redeem himself V USA
11. Seymour... to be replaced by Mr Gun-Shy asap
10. Dancer... to be replaced by Slightly Slimmer Than Family Sized who can start v USA
9. I Can't Believe He's Still There.. to be replaced by SHC and then Henners to come in next game.

I think Fes has the pack just right.
Let's pump the sons of Nippon.

I'd like to take this oppertunity to remember the great Bill McLaren who proclaimed in our game against Japan in Perth 2004

"There's a wee nip out there tonight"

I agree with FES. we should use the Japan game to really throw down a marker and signify our intent.

Indeed Radge.
To be honest, anything less than this https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=scotland+v+japan+2004 will be disappointing...

tigertattie wrote:I'd like to take this oppertunity to remember the great Bill McLaren who proclaimed in our game against Japan in Perth 2004

"There's a wee nip out there tonight"

Amazing.

I just want the Duke of Edinburgh co-commentating and my life would be complete.

Oooo. Imagine Argentina vs Fiji with HRH Prince Philip and Jeremy Clarckson doing the commentary!

Japan team has been announced for SA- anyone have a clue if they are resting players or not?

https://twitter.com/JRFURugby/status/644522964403265536

On the matter of who was chosen to represent Japan in the OP, there can clearly never be a definitive answer. However, in a recent Japanese poll of "Who would you most like to have as a girlfriend?" Haruka Ayase was a clear winner.

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=%E7%B6%BE%E7%80%AC%E3%81%AF%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B&hl=ja&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAWoVChMItbLgn8f-xwIVQbOUCh2plQoj#

Rugby Fan wrote:On the matter of who was chosen to represent Japan in the OP, there can clearly never be a definitive answer. However, in a recent Japanese poll of "Who would you most like to have as a girlfriend?" Haruka Ayase was a clear winner.

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=%E7%B6%BE%E7%80%AC%E3%81%AF%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B&hl=ja&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAWoVChMItbLgn8f-xwIVQbOUCh2plQoj#

Nah - my girl Kou Shibasaki is Japanese team rep for a reason.

Tell me more, tell me more.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I agree with FES. we should use the Japan game to really throw down a marker and signify our intent.

What form will that take?

Gwlad wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I agree with FES. we should use the Japan game to really throw down a marker and signify our intent.

What form will that take?

We should be looking to beat Japan by more than two scores (by that I mean tries, so 10 points +), and keep ball in hand in the process. A positive start with good attacking rugby.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I agree with FES. we should use the Japan game to really throw down a marker and signify our intent.

What form will that take?

We should be looking to beat Japan by more than two scores (by that I mean tries, so 10 points +), and keep ball in hand in the process. A positive start with good attacking rugby.

Just to add that if we fail to put 4 tries past Japan we'd be as well packing up & heading home.

Oct 10th and 11th is a massive weekend for home nations in the group games

On the 10th you guys play Samoa for the 2nd spot in your group and Wales play Aus quite possibly for survival, and on the 11th Ireland play France to avoid NZ in the quarters.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Japan team has been announced for SA- anyone have a clue if they are resting players or not?

Nope looks pretty much like their strongest team. Japan are definitely not going to be a team to take likely. They have some pretty decent players in there. Obvious names are Tanaka and horie who play in super rugby. Others to look out for are the full back Ayumu Goromaru who is an excellent kicker and very physical. He cause Scotland a few problems the last time we played Japan at Murrayfield. Craig Wing playing at 12, ex Australian League international and state of origin player. Been playing union since 09 I think out in Japan and despite being 35 is showing good form. Akihito Yamada has spent the last season with the Western Force, didn't take the field in Super rugby due to injury but did play their warm up games and from all accounts looked very good. The other winger is also pretty good, Kotaro Matsushima was born and raised in South Africa, played for the sharks before moving out to play in japan, spent last season playing for the waratahs and playing in the Sydney league.

In their forwards Michael Leitch played for the Chiefs for the last two seasons playing mostly at No 8 alongside Messam and Cane.
The other 2 back rowers are also very experienced and have experience of playing high level rugby in New Zealand as well.
We should beat Japan but it won't be easy going I don't think.

Majestic83 wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Japan team has been announced for SA- anyone have a clue if they are resting players or not?

Nope looks pretty much like their strongest team. Japan are definitely not going to be a team to take likely. They have some pretty decent players in there. Obvious names are Tanaka and horie who play in super rugby. Others to look out for are the full back Ayumu Goromaru who is an excellent kicker and very physical. He cause Scotland a few problems the last time we played Japan at Murrayfield. Craig Wing playing at 12, ex Australian League international and state of origin player. Been playing union since 09 I think out in Japan and despite being 35 is showing good form. Akihito Yamada has spent the last season with the Western Force, didn't take the field in Super rugby due to injury but did play their warm up games and from all accounts looked very good. The other winger is also pretty good, Kotaro Matsushima was born and raised in South Africa, played for the sharks before moving out to play in japan, spent last season playing for the waratahs and playing in the Sydney league.

In their forwards Michael Leitch played for the Chiefs for the last two seasons playing mostly at No 8 alongside Messam and Cane.
The other 2 back rowers are also very experienced and have experience of playing high level rugby in New Zealand as well.
We should beat Japan but it won't be easy going I don't think.

Maybe we should be encouraging Tosh McStrauss and Willie McNellie to pass on a "hit list" to their former Saffer compatriots - please damage these players first!

I remember Male S'au being a pretty tough guy to deal with for us too. Not a team to take lightly, but a team we should be beating.

Gwlad wrote:Oct 10th and 11th is a massive weekend for home nations in the group games

On the 10th you guys play Samoa for the 2nd spot in your group and Wales play Aus quite possibly for survival, and on the 11th Ireland play France to avoid NZ in the quarters.

That is presuming Scotland haven't already beaten South Africa. It is entirely conceivable for Scotland to beat SA and then collapse against Samoa thus securing our exit from the RWC.

Wales I do feel for despite your numerous attempts to troll us for one reason on another across multiple threads. Your group is particularly tough, the loss of Halfpenny is a bitter one.

tigertattie wrote:

Nah - Ghostie was at least subtle for a while before he started getting really worked up. And he was smart. You don't have to be a to be a 'Russian'

lostinwales wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

Nah - Ghostie was at least subtle for a while before he started getting really worked up. And he was smart. You don't have to be a to be a 'Russian'

Reffering to Ghost as "smart" is an insult to smart people!

The TV station which produced this segment pulled it from their website, and apologized for not taking rugby seriously.

Half time in Brighton. Japan 10 - 12 Boks

I'm very much dreading Wednesday - it is gonna be incredibly tough

If Japan bring this level of intensity on Wednesday those Scottish fans who are still expecting us to comfortably swat them aside could be in for a nasty shock! Will be interesting to see how they hold up in this second half, but they've certainly come out of the blocks very well

good luck Scotland.

I think i will wait and see what the outcome of the SA v Japan game.

No need to worry, Japan may be an incredibly fast, fit and mobile but we've got Strokers...

Hopefully Japan are exhausted after that game and won't put up a fight on Wednesday

Dave Denton -

Here's hoping the Japanese go and get melted tonight to celebrate