Scotland v Japan, 23 September

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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

Ha! folk say we talk pi$h on our threads too!

Dunno whatever gave them that idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RDW_Scotland wrote:So what are the changes and how much does it (hopefully) weaken their team?

There's two questions here:
1) What changes have been made to the heroic Japan side that beat the mighty Boks?
2) What changes have been made to the heroic Japan side that scared us in 2013 but which we ultimately pumped?

18 of the 23 were in the 23 against South Africa, with 3 starters dropping to the bench for this match, and 4 coming into the starting XV from the bench.

14 of the 23 were in the 23 against Scotland in 2013, with 4 starters dropping to the bench for this match, and 2 coming into the starting XV from the bench.

Interestingly, Eddie Jones has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench.

Cunning plan, I'll pick the Japanese backs for my ESPN fantasy World Cup team. So far this weekend I've had to replace Huget and Liam Williams due to injury.

Eejit, you need to help me on this one: are Japan now the Partick Thistle of world rugby?

If they are then it could make me, a lifelong Jags fan, even more confused than usual on Wednesday afternoon.

Embarrassing fact number 1 - Scotland have never beaten a higher ranked side at a RWC

Embarrassing fact number 2 - That will no longer be the case if we beat Japan this week

Okay so I am sure the crowd are going to be hoping for another Japan win here. However, I think if Scotland play well then they should be fine.

Re-watching the South Africa game, I have to say they didn't do themselves any favours. Lambie who I used to rate a lot didn't control the game well and kicked a ridiculous high ball at one point that was very poor. Also, SA had the opportunity to kick for a penalty around the 70 min mark after some good phases of play. I think going for the line out was a poor decision as they obviously ended up with no points and Japan grew in confidence. So poor game management was a big one for SA losing.

Scotland play a fast expansive style of game like Japan except Laidlaw can also manage games well with his boot. The team selection is great, Scotland are a very fit team like Japan and they have the benefit of being well rested and raring to go.

I am confident Scotland will play well and come away with the win.

Apparently Scotland said "Japan are going to tank the first game against SA" according to Eddie Jones...

Have I missed something? I can't think of when Scotland haven't taken Japan seriously...

You got a link for where he said this?

Parts of the Scottish media questioned whether Japan would field a 2nd XV against SA, but that is the polar opposite of what has been coming out of the Scotland team camp.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/japanese-bandwagon-aims-to-roll-over-scotland-355130.html

Right at the very bottom

NeilyBroon wrote:Apparently Scotland said "Japan are going to tank the first game against SA" according to Eddie Jones...

Have I missed something? I can't think of when Scotland haven't taken Japan seriously...

It's just media games. Straight from the Jim Telfer playbook. "The opposition don't respect us". "They are arrogant, we are underdogs". Etc etc.

Absolute Love sacks from Jones, but as FES says just media games.

The best thing we can do is simple.

5 points in the bag after 80 minutes.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Absolute Love sacks from Jones, but as FES says just media games.

Some recommended honeymoon reading: "The Grudge". It's Tom English writing about the 1990 5 Nations and it's a great read. The English players contributed to the book just as much as the Scots and the chapters basically alternate between the two points of view.

Telfer is a big focus of the book and reading the thoughts of the English players talking about him you can sense their frustration at constantly having views attributed to them in the media which they didn't hold!!

jimbopip wrote:Shyster, Flywheel and Shyster are my favourites.

Their office is below my flat

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:The best thing we can do is simple.

5 points in the bag after 80 minutes.

We certainly should be aiming for that. I really hope this RWC is the turning point for Scotland in terms of execution. I can't deal with another false dawn!

I think this will be a real 50/50 game. Japan are on a huge high after their win, it is a short turn around for them but the Japanese squad is one of the fittest around. They have made 6 changes to their starting line up but looking at those players it wont weaken them any.
Japan have been building slowly for a few years now and have some serious talent through out that squad.

Scotland will have to take the game to them from the start and really not let them settle and try and get some early points on the board either via tries, pens or drop goals. If Japan rally early its going to get the crowd behind them again and it could be a long afternoon for Scotland.

I think the team we have picked is the correct one, Sean Lamont is on good form just now and deserves his place on the wing. The Japanese did fall off a few tackles against South Africa so Lamont needs to get his hands on the ball and soften them up a little.
Bench is very strong and offers lots of impact.
Going to be very tense watching this game I think!

NeilyBroon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:The best thing we can do is simple.

5 points in the bag after 80 minutes.

We certainly should be aiming for that. I really hope this RWC is the turning point for Scotland in terms of execution. I can't deal with another false dawn!

False dawn!!!

Tomorrow morning: job interview.

Tomorrow afternoon: home in time for the Scotland game.


What could possibly go wrong?

Well mercifully I have to give a presentation tomorrow afternoon so will know the result before I watch it. I'm pretty pleased about that!

Tony Blair's description of PMQs is an entirely appropriate description of the experience of watching Scotland play rugby:

"PMQsWatching Scotland play rugby was the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting, bowel-moving, terror-inspiring, courage-draining experience in my prime ministerial rugby watching life, without question. You know that scene in Marathon Man where the evil Nazi doctor played by Laurence Olivier drills through Dustin Hoffman's teeth? At around 11.45 on Wednesday mornings kick-off, I would have swapped 380 minutes of PMQswatching Scotland play rugby for 380 minutes of that."

[quote="funnyExiledScot"]Well mercifully I have to give a presentation tomorrow afternoon so will know the result before I watch it. I'm pretty pleased about that!

Tony Blair's description of PMQs is an entirely appropriate description of the experience of watching Scotland play rugby:

[b]"PMQsWatching Scotland play rugby was the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting, bowel-moving, terror-inspiring, courage-draining experience in my prime ministerial rugby watching life, without question. You know that scene in Marathon Man where the evil Nazi doctor played by Laurence Olivier drills through Dustin Hoffman's teeth? At around 11.45 on Wednesday mornings kick-off, I would have swapped 380 minutes of PMQswatching Scotland play rugby for 380 minutes of



Amazing. Yet so depressingly accurate! The amount of moodswings I go through watching Scotland is like an episode of Kevin and Perry

I've bitten the bullet and taken a half day tomorrow. Which has panned out quite well as it means I get to watch the Aus v Fiji game as well.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well mercifully I have to give a presentation tomorrow afternoon so will know the result before I watch it. I'm pretty pleased about that!

Tony Blair's description of PMQs is an entirely appropriate description of the experience of watching Scotland play rugby:

"PMQsWatching Scotland play rugby was the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting, bowel-moving, terror-inspiring, courage-draining experience in my prime ministerial rugby watching life, without question. You know that scene in Marathon Man where the evil Nazi doctor played by Laurence Olivier drills through Dustin Hoffman's teeth? At around 11.45 on Wednesday mornings kick-off, I would have swapped 380 minutes of PMQswatching Scotland play rugby for 380 minutes of that."

That's outstanding FES.

The joys of watching and supporting Scotland are many-fold:
- The giddy retreat from reality before every major tournament when you think that, just possibly, this is going to be the year.
- That cold pit of despair when you concede a try at the death, leaving you utterly bereft of positive emotion.
- The urge to savagely beat anyone who says "Don't worry, it's just a game" when it clearly isn't.
- The nagging nervousness when Scotland are in the lead, knowing that it will surely turn at some point and a Nick De Luca will spill the ball into the arms of a Vincent Clerc.
- But occasionally, once in a blue moon, we get a result that makes it all worthwhile, leading to headlines of "Scotland stun [good team]"
- Finally, there are those little moments of joy: a crushing tackle from Jonny Gray, a goose-step from the Messiah, a bullocking run from Dozer Denton - they give you such cause for optimism, you feel guilty for ever having failed to believe.

BTW, I'm recording it and watching after work - expect a giddy/depressed Bru to descend on this party/wake around 8pm.

I'll probably listen to it on the radio through headphones at work - can't see myself having an overly productive afternoon!

I'm in Pendine, so I'll be watching the game with a bunch of sheep botherers....

Please Scotland don't let me down!

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I'm in Pendine, so I'll be watching the game with a bunch of sheep botherers....  

Please Scotland don't let me down!

well, Lacey is the referee, so quite literally anything could happen.

Planet rugby has Japan by 3 points, usually pretty accurate.

Sadly the project I’m on would have prevented  me from listening/watching etc to the game and I’m away for work these days, so I wouldn’t have been able to watch the game until the weekend had I not taken a half day.  It was really the only choice.

I really hope we get a good result as my hotel room is depressing enough without Scotland losing our opening game of the WC thrown into the mix.

Jimpy wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I'm in Pendine, so I'll be watching the game with a bunch of sheep botherers....  

Please Scotland don't let me down!

well, Lacey is the referee, so quite literally anything could happen.

Planet rugby has Japan by 3 points, usually pretty accurate.

What was their bet for the SA match, SA by 40? That was the handicap.

Gutted that I won't be able to watch the game (apart from on the sly on my laptop...) - had planned to work from home tomorrow but they've gone and put me on a training course from 10-2! Very inconsiderate...

Anyone who thinks Japan are all singing and all dancing have to take a dose of reality. They lost this year to Fiji, Tonga and USA... in the PN cup and Japan always field full strength in that, Fiji and Tonga hardly ever can. They only just beat Georgia by 3 points a few weeks out... they are not Argentina in 2007... who were beating teams like England at home a year or so out already.

Yes they beat the boks, they deserved the win but it had more to do with the boks than Japan.

Scotland will win, they'll win well too.

fa0019 wrote:

Jimpy wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I'm in Pendine, so I'll be watching the game with a bunch of sheep botherers....  

Please Scotland don't let me down!

well, Lacey is the referee, so quite literally anything could happen.

Planet rugby has Japan by 3 points, usually pretty accurate.

What was their bet for the SA match, SA by 40? That was the handicap.

I didn't see that, but if it was, it makes a Japan win against Scotland seem even more likely.

fa0019 wrote:Anyone who thinks Japan are all singing and all dancing have to take a dose of reality. They lost this year to Fiji, Tonga and USA... in the PN cup and Japan always field full strength in that, Fiji and Tonga hardly ever can. They only just beat Georgia by 3 points a few weeks out... they are not Argentina in 2007... who were beating teams like England at home a year or so out already.

Yes they beat the boks, they deserved the win but it had more to do with the boks than Japan.

Scotland will win, they'll win well too.

I think Scotland will win by 10 maximum realistically. I think Eddie Jones will have given them (Japan) enough discipline that they don't get complacent but a lot of them will be tired, even the fittest sides would be after that very physical match (also consider how much Japan were defending). The Japanese defence is solid and they're a lot fitter than they were in 2013 - our points mostly came out of the latter part of that game if I remember correctly.

I think what will quite possibly be the biggest factor is the backrow battle. Hardie being on top of this is key. It's times like this I wish Barclay was in the squad, we could do with him on the bench really, but hopefully Strauss will prove his mettle at international level.

Vern's been clever, if we're under the kosh we have a whole new skillset we can bring on. Hence why I think it'll be a win but no bigger than 10 points due to improved fitness from Japan.

Weather looks like it will hold up yet I think it will be a bit of a NH dog fight though and I don't see Japan liking that.

We'll see how goodthe Japanese team is if they get 14 down lets say and are being hit hard in the set piece and chasing high balls all day. Its fine when you're in the game and playing fluid rugby but if you're behind and playing soft mud and toughman rugby I wonder how they will fare.

Will put my neck out and say Scotland by 20.

EWT Spoons wrote:Sadly the project I’m on would have prevented  me from listening/watching etc to the game and I’m away for work these days, so I wouldn’t have been able to watch the game until the weekend had I not taken a half day.  It was really the only choice.

I really hope we get a good result as my hotel room is depressing enough without Scotland losing our opening game of the WC thrown into the mix.

If Scotland can't beat Japan... they shouldn't be in the 6N and this is coming from a  Scotland supporter.

If Japan can only just get past Georgia and are beaten by Fiji, Tonga and the USA and Scotland lost to them then they have no right to be in the premier European tournament over other sides.

They certainly shouldn't be getting premier matches vs. 3N sides come the AIs if that's the case.

Chin-up Spoons. BabyfES is a Rugby World Cup wrecker. I'm at home. I can see my TV. I just can't watch it!

Having to wait till Wednesday to get started is a right kick in the stones.  Near enough every other team (think 4 teams are still waiting) has had a wee run out, a chance to show what they are all about, and we’re stuck waiting.  It’s purgatory! Wednesday is either going to be heaven if we win convincingly with no injuries, or hell where we lose, and Finn “the irreplaceable“ gets an injury.  Until then it’s just a waiting game.

Cheers Jimbo & FES, but I have been living in a Holiday Inn for the last 5 weeks….in an industrial estate. The view from my window is a roundabout, or if I stand at a really awkward angle I can just about make out the only other thing for miles around…an Aldi.

Trust me, 5 weeks of that view is enough to depress the sh*t out of someone.

EWT Spoons wrote:Cheers Jimbo & FES, but I have been living in a Holiday Inn for the last 5 weeks….in an industrial estate.  The view from my window is a roundabout, or if I stand at a really awkward angle I can just about make out the only other thing for miles around…an Aldi.

Trust me, 5 weeks of that view is enough to depress the sh*t out of someone.

That sounds like one of the more salubrious parts of Glasgow.

As much as its great for Japan... they have to play 4 days after the biggest game of their lives.. one where they covered every blade of grass for 80 mins.

Great for morale but their bodies will be hurting... if Scotland can hit it up them in the first 20 they will destroy the mental gains they had beating SA and could be put away by half time. That's got to be the plan. Don't let them ever believe they can actually win the game.

fa0019 wrote:If Scotland can't beat Japan... they shouldn't be in the 6N and this is coming from a  Scotland supporter.

If Japan can only just get past Georgia and are beaten by Fiji, Tonga and the USA and Scotland lost to them then they have no right to be in the premier European tournament over other sides.

They certainly shouldn't be getting premier matches vs. 3N sides come the AIs if that's the case.

I see what you are saying, but considering Japan just beat South Africa, who up until that match were 3rd in the IRB rankings, I don't think we can write them off.  I mean should South Africa be kicked out The Rugby Championship because they lost to Japan?

Yes we should beat Japan, but I don't think one result (either way) should impact a totally seperate tournament.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:Cheers Jimbo & FES, but I have been living in a Holiday Inn for the last 5 weeks….in an industrial estate.  The view from my window is a roundabout, or if I stand at a really awkward angle I can just about make out the only other thing for miles around…an Aldi.

Trust me, 5 weeks of that view is enough to depress the sh*t out of someone.

That sounds like one of the more salubrious parts of Glasgow.

Aye when you put it like that it could be worse.

Eddie Jones;

If we’re in it after 30 minutes I reckon we’ll win. You look at Scotland’s record over the last 15 games and unless they get ahead early, they struggle to win a game.

Notch wrote:Eddie Jones;

If we’re in it after 30 minutes I reckon we’ll win. You look at Scotland’s record over the last 15 games and unless they get ahead early, they struggle to win a game.

Hmm. We'll see.

I also noted the commendably honest Eddie Jones comment from an interview earlier in the week where he tried to get word down to the pitch that Japan should kick the last minute penalty and go for a draw. Leitch had already made the call to keep the ball in play before that message was communicated. It was the captain with the large stones, not the coach.

Notch wrote:Eddie Jones;

If we’re in it after 30 minutes I reckon we’ll win. You look at Scotland’s record over the last 15 games and unless they get ahead early, they struggle to win a game.

Brutal but not wholly inaccurate. This said we're a lot better in the last 20 than we used to be. Interesting he's going for the Warren Gatland style word-games. But it is true, the first half is vital, we can't give them a chance, much like any other team we're playing. This tournament is the 20 best sides in the world after all.

EWT Spoons wrote:

fa0019 wrote:If Scotland can't beat Japan... they shouldn't be in the 6N and this is coming from a  Scotland supporter.

If Japan can only just get past Georgia and are beaten by Fiji, Tonga and the USA and Scotland lost to them then they have no right to be in the premier European tournament over other sides.

They certainly shouldn't be getting premier matches vs. 3N sides come the AIs if that's the case.

I see what you are saying, but considering Japan just beat South Africa, who up until that match were 3rd in the IRB rankings, I don't think we can write them off.  I mean should South Africa be kicked out The Rugby Championship because they lost to Japan?

Yes we should beat Japan, but I don't think one result (either way) should impact a totally seperate tournament.

Yes but SA were 2nd in the world 12 months ago. They have recent form.

Scotland's form has been constant to be fair, constantly dire for the last decade and a half.

In terms of the 16 6N champions we've never won more than 3 matches in a single tournament and that was achieved only once. 11 times we've won either a single game or nought. If we take Italy out the equation our wooden spoon record would have probably been the worst in 5N history in terms of length.

Personally I think we should have a relegation battle each year with the best of the rest i.e. Georgia... a 2 legged affair for the worst team in the 6N annually.

Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

It’s interesting the different approach by the coaches ahead of this game.

Eddie as per Notch’s post above is going for the bullish, highlight Scotland’s (perceived) weaknesses, method of mind games.
Vern seems to be going the opposite way and seems to be almost on the verge of saying Scotland fear Japan

Vern’s chat from the BBC about being ready for Japan after watching them play South Africa: wrote:
It gave us an additional focus because they didn't just compete - they won," said Cotter. "As coaches we didn't get much sleep after the game.

"We expect them to be just as ferocious, just as driven and well-organised against us."

"I think everyone thought their energy levels would drop after an hour against South Africa but they didn't," said the New Zealander. "Assuming anything from this team is just dangerous.
"The key is to stay switched on.

I hope this is just a different type of mind games Vern is playing and in camp he is building confidence with the players and not telling them the same things about how ferocious Japan are going to be.  He needs to be telling them how good they are, how they need to focus and respect Japan, but not to fear them.

I know it is a feature of professional sport, but it is a shame that mind game are going on. Eddie Jones’ comments almost go against the whole spirit that the Japan win was built around. We have no animosity against Japan as a rugby nation whatsoever – why’s he having to make things up about the Scotland team saying that SA will hump Japan, and trying to put down the team so much?

I know quotes can be taken out of context but he’s not come across very well in the quotes I’ve seen.

As has been said, we’ve almost gone too far the opposite way – being overly polite about Japan. I hope it isn’t just a way of giving us excuses if we do lose!

Notch wrote:Eddie Jones;

If we’re in it after 30 minutes I reckon we’ll win. You look at Scotland’s record over the last 15 games and unless they get ahead early, they struggle to win a game.

We should pin that on the wall of the dressing room.

It'll be very very different behind the scenes.

On a side note, has anyone seen that wee clip of the Jap fan meeting Shane Williams? It's on the BBC website.

Absolutely brilliant. Looking forward to having a few beers with their fans tomorrow.

fa0019 wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:

fa0019 wrote:If Scotland can't beat Japan... they shouldn't be in the 6N and this is coming from a  Scotland supporter.

If Japan can only just get past Georgia and are beaten by Fiji, Tonga and the USA and Scotland lost to them then they have no right to be in the premier European tournament over other sides.

They certainly shouldn't be getting premier matches vs. 3N sides come the AIs if that's the case.

I see what you are saying, but considering Japan just beat South Africa, who up until that match were 3rd in the IRB rankings, I don't think we can write them off.  I mean should South Africa be kicked out The Rugby Championship because they lost to Japan?

Yes we should beat Japan, but I don't think one result (either way) should impact a totally seperate tournament.

Yes but SA were 2nd in the world 12 months ago. They have recent form.

Scotland's form has been constant to be fair, constantly dire for the last decade and a half.

In terms of the 16 6N champions we've never won more than 3 matches in a single tournament and that was achieved only once. 11 times we've won either a single game or nought. If we take Italy out the equation our wooden spoon record would have probably been the worst in 5N history in terms of length.

Personally I think we should have a relegation battle each year with the best of the rest i.e. Georgia... a 2 legged affair for the worst team in the 6N annually.

Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

The relegation thing has been done to death on previous posts, Fa.

The natural response from Scotland fans is that given Wales win record' in the 80s and Ireland's win record in the 70s was each worse than Scotland's recent win record over the same period of time, presumably that means that Wales and Ireland should be booted out first?

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:It'll be very very different behind the scenes.

On a side note, has anyone seen that wee clip of the Jap fan meeting Shane Williams? It's on the BBC website.

Absolutely brilliant. Looking forward to having a few beers with their fans tomorrow.

I think that's the best thing I've seen. Made me smile from ear to ear. They're such lovely people, and a great laugh on a night out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2BMSBzjBNQ