Japan's landmark
Rugby World|July 2024
The Brave Blossoms are preparing for an historic first home Test against England. Rich Freeman explains why it means so much
RICH FREEMAN
Japan's landmark

AS JAPAN gets set for the ‘Eddie Jones Era Part Two’, it’s worth remembering some words of wisdom from Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth. “We all know the dangers of sequels. Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place too often.”

But that is just what Japan RFU president Masato Tsuchida is hoping will happen after using his long-term friendship with former Suntory colleague Jones to persuade the Australian to return to Tokyo on a full-time basis, following his disastrous time in charge of the Wallabies in 2023.

“We started with 80 candidates, narrowed that down to a shortlist and, after interviewing Eddie, decided on bringing him back,” Tsuchida said when Jones was formally appointed Japan coach for the second time on 14 December 2023.

Jones’s appointment has divided Japanese fans, many of whom believe the JRFU should be looking forward, not back. So this year’s Tests, which begin with England on 22 June in Tokyo, and include a return fixture in November, will be a litmus test for things to come. They are in marked contrast to the games that Japan faced in the first Jones era.

‘Eddie Part One’ began in Kazakhstan in 2012 as Japan started the qualifying process for the 2015 World Cup following two disappointing campaigns under John Kirwan.

A win over Wales in 2013 brought hope that something different was on the horizon, but few imagined that at England 2015, Japan would become the first team to fail to progress to the World Cup quarter-finals despite winning three pool games. Among those defeated were South Africa, a game that inspired the movie Brighton Miracle, written and directed by former NRL player Max Mannix and starring Temuera Morrison as Jones!

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2024-Ausgabe von Rugby World.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2024-Ausgabe von Rugby World.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS RUGBY WORLDAlle anzeigen
"I remember getting eating guidelines for Christmas Day!"
Rugby World

"I remember getting eating guidelines for Christmas Day!"

CHRISTMAS, the most wonderful time of the year? Not if you’re a professional rugby player it’s not.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 2025
Rugby firsts
Rugby World

Rugby firsts

FIRST RUGBY match you went to? I would have gone to RODNEY PARADE to watch a Newport game when I was about six years old, so around 1992 or 1993.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 2025
THE JOHN FISHER STATE SCHOOL RUGBY FESTIVAL
Rugby World

THE JOHN FISHER STATE SCHOOL RUGBY FESTIVAL

The inaugural John Fisher Rugby Festival hopes to Send state-school rugby players into the stratosphere.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
January 2025
The Making Of Robbie Henshaw
Rugby World

The Making Of Robbie Henshaw

How this small-town boy went On to become a big-time player

time-read
6 Minuten  |
January 2025
RG SNYMAN
Rugby World

RG SNYMAN

The giant Springbok is enjoying the best of both worlds since joining Leinster

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 2025
BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG
Rugby World

BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG

Bristol's South African centre has one eye on an England call-up in 2026

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 2025
RUGBY RANT
Rugby World

RUGBY RANT

Jessica Hayden, author of The Red Roses, says the women’s game can handle criticism

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 2025
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ...GO ON TOUR WITH EMERGING IRELAND
Rugby World

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ...GO ON TOUR WITH EMERGING IRELAND

Munster's Ben O'Connor tells RW about the eye-opening trip to South Africa

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 2025
"Welsh rugby treats players like pieces of meat, not assets"
Rugby World

"Welsh rugby treats players like pieces of meat, not assets"

THEY’VE BUILT the women’s game around the men’s game in Wales but it has to be its own thing.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 2025
"I don't believe in dinosaurs – the boys think it's nuts!"
Rugby World

"I don't believe in dinosaurs – the boys think it's nuts!"

The Exeter Chiefs hooker talks Tarmac, time travel and Tyson Fury

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 2025