“ I WOULD LIKE to beat England.” Warner Dearns delivers the sentence in a typically understated Kiwi way but manages, at the same time, to convey the unmistakable message that nothing in rugby would give him more pleasure than taking England’s scalp this summer.
At 22, the Japan second-row has already had two cracks, both of which – at the World Cup and at Twickenham in 2022 – ended in defeat. The results might have been expected by the outside world but that didn’t make them any easier to swallow for the Wellington-born skyscraper.
The abiding sense of an opportunity missed in Nice, when aping England’s kicking tactics and going down 34-12 in the pool game, still rankles.
“We got our arses handed to us at Twickenham but that game at the World Cup was disappointing. We played into England’s strengths. We could have played a lot better than we did. We didn’t play the right game plan,” he says.
“With new coaches it’s going to be an awesome challenge. It’s quite a bit of fun having Eddie Jones on board, who previously coached England.” Jones, for a myriad of reasons, will no doubt desire a first Japan Test win over England just as deeply.
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Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Rugby World.
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WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
As the domestic season comes to a close, we take a look across the English pyramid to see which community clubs have tasted success
Japan's landmark
The Brave Blossoms are preparing for an historic first home Test against England. Rich Freeman explains why it means so much
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ...BRING RUGBY TO INDIA'S STREETS
RW finds out why Kolkata kids are picking up the oval ball in Quins shirts
Anthony Brooke
Mixed ability sport might not exist but for this multiple award-winner
SCOTT ROBERTSON
The new All Blacks head coach awaits the arrival of England on tour before embarking on a first Rugby Championship. We tune into his method and mindset...
SYDNEY GREGSON
The England centre hopes Saracens can right past wrongs in the play-offs
STATE OF PLAY
Uncertain futures on the SVNS series, funding issues and the small matter of the Olympics - former captain TOM MITCHELL looks at what's going on with Team GB
MAX POWER
His jump to senior standout has impressed many in Scotland and Glasgow's MAX WILLIAMSON has shown there is a way forward
KWAGGA SMITH
The Springboks have a point to prove against Ireland, says the flanker
Nash smashes on!
A BREAKTHROUGH STAR IN THE SIX NATIONS, MUNSTER WINGER CALVIN NASH HAS DONE IT THE HARD WAY