Saturday, at 9:10 p.m., at the Stade de France, the French XV faces Japan, 14th nation in the World Rugby rankings. The French launch their autumn tour against a team which does not lack talent, despite recent disappointing results.
“We have to start from scratch. For our first test this year, we didn't even have 150 caps on the field. On a global scale, we are in kindergarten.” : Eddie Jones is no fool. Back at the bedside of a selection that he made shine at the 2015 World Cup, “Eddie the Crazy” knows that his Brave Blossoms have lost their former glory. The generation of Matsushima, Fukuoka, Leitch, Horie, Tanaka is no more and Japanese rugby, with a championship that attracts foreign stars failing to help young Japanese progress, must reinvent itself. “The players have become joint internationals, continues former Rose and Wallabies bosswho have lost this Japanese specificity which made them stand out. We must reconnect with this identity, which has been lost. The Japanese have always needed to train more than others.”
Time to face the XV of France by Antoine Dupont, there are many questions about the real level of the 14th nation in the world in the World Rugby rankings. Particularly in view of Eddie Jones' starting lineup. By choosing to start a three-quarter line based on physique (Fifita, Naikabula, Tuitama), the national coach seems to want to perpetuate the game plan of his predecessor Jamie Joseph. To avoid undressing at all costs? Maybe. This can also be understood in view of the latest results of the Japanese selection: 19-64 against the New Zealand B team (October 26), 41-17 in the final of the Pacific Nations Cup against the Fijians revised (September 21). Certainly, convincing successes were recorded against the Samoans in crisis (49-27), the United States (41-24) and Canada (28-55), but also large defeats during the last clashes against the nations Europeans this summer (42-14 against Italy, 52-17 against England, defeat against Georgia).
Players to watch: Dearns, Riley, Takeuchi and the two stars of the Top 14…
To exist at the international level, Eddie Jones is therefore banking on a dense team, capable of breaking the first French defensive curtain with strong fellows at the risk of being overtaken by the speed of the tricolor arrows. The Japanese, rather efficient in conquest on their last outings, will especially have to be much better in defense – their main weakness –, facing potentially more offensive Blues according to the starting XV and the latest statements from coach Fabien Galthié.
The regulars of the France group will not be completely surprised on Saturday at the Stade de France. Five players (seven including substitutes) were already in the last confrontation between the two teams, on November 20, 2022 (35-17). Thus, after exposing the known weaknesses of the Japanese selection, it should also be noted that it can count on talented boys. Starting with the two residents of the Top 14, the Toulouse scrum half Naoto Saito and the third row Tevita Tatafu (who will start on the bench): two players who shine in the French championship, especially the Bordelo-Béglais, reference to his position.
Among the other players to follow, we will mention the New Zealand second row Warner Dearns, indisputable holder at number 5. But also the right pillar Shuhei Takeuchi (26 years old), the replacing scrum half Shinobu Fujiwara (25 years old), and the three-quarter center Dylan Riley, praised in his columns by his coach: “I see no reason why our number 13, Dylan Riley, should not become the best center in the world. He is only 26 years old, already has around twenty caps, even if he is missing tests against the biggest nations. But he is fast, has excellent technique and a very good sense of timing.
Finally, Kazuki Himeno, captain at the last World Cup, will make his return to the third row with a very different style from the very dense number 8 Lua Makisi (1.87 m, 112 kg). Not enough to worry our Blues, to be completely honest, but enough to take this team seriously. The French must in any case deliver a solid match to build up confidence before facing the All Blacks.
