Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has revealed his side will look to alter their tactics ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Under Joseph, the Brave Blossoms have become renowned for their free-flowing style, oriented around fast strike plays with ball in hand. However, how rugby has evolved has convinced the New Zealander to look for a different approach moving forward.
Officiating favours defensive teams
Joseph believes that the way the game is officiated favours defensively-based teams over attacking sides, something Japan will need to adapt to.
“The teams who won Test matches in June and July are the best defensive sides, not necessarily the best attacking sides,” said Joseph.
“That’s a trend that has been created by the way the game is refereed now and it’s a trend that we’ve got to adjust to.
“It’s going to be challenging but it’s pointless trying to play the game of rugby that was successful for us in 2019 against stronger defensive teams.”
Japan has a challenging pool to contest with next year in France, with England, Argentina, Chile and Samoa all vying for spots in the knockout stages.
Joseph revealed that preparations have not been ideal but he is ready to tackle the challenge ahead of him and his Japanese side.
“We’re a little bit behind in terms of our preparation but those are the circumstances that have been thrown at me as the head coach and what I have to deal with,” he said.
“I’m pretty positive about the challenge ahead and that’s what my job is.”
Keep building
Joseph believes the key to developing is working together and trying to play “positive” rugby as his side did against France in July, where they almost claimed a shock win over the Six Nations champions.
“I don’t think it’s something that the coach says or ‘this is what I want you to do’ – you build together,” he said.
“The best way to do that is by playing positive, winning rugby. That’s what we want to do.”
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The coach looks forward to a tricky challenge at the World Cup, exactly 12 months from now, but believes his team are “capable” of putting in a good showing at rugby’s showpiece event.
“It’s not an easy challenge but it’s a challenge that we’ve shown in the past that if we get the preparation right and get the players right, we’re certainly capable of doing it,” said Joseph.
“That’s what we’re working on.”