France and Japan on Sunday in Toulouse: Australians, New Zealanders, Tonga… How Japan, thanks to troops from elsewhere, approaches the very high level

France is a retrospective of the Japon, an adversaire contre qui elle no jamais perdu en six rencontres officielles et en douze confrontation, puisque between 1978 and 1985 les tests n’ont pas donné droit à des selections à part entière (pour des raisons difficiles Understanding).

The Blues would inevitably be very much a candidate against the long unknown rugby country. Rugby has been played for a long time in Japan, but the country has been operating in a state of self-sufficiency for years. It was based on scholastic rugby, then university and finally corporate.

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But in the 2000s, leaders entered modernity, with a tournament of growing professional franchises, bolstered by foreign players, confirmed stars or real adventurers. The national team has taken the steps.

In 2017, he tied in Nanterre against France, then coached by Guy Noves and led by Guilhem Girado. In 2019, he crossed the World Cup group stage milestone for the first time, beating Ireland and Scotland by passing.

Admittedly, the competition was held at home, but since the Japanese managed to tickle the All Blacks, a month ago in Tokyo there was a defeat 38 to 31. A third line called Kazuki Himeno commands respect. He would certainly play in the top fourteen if the exile wish came to him.

Looking closely at the latest compositions, we realize that the Japanese leaders used all means to achieve their ends. The Japanese-trained side sits alongside players with an evocative title: Australian-trained three-quarters Dylan Riley came to Japan at the age of 22, to defend the colors of the Panasonic franchise.

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After three years of residency, he was able to wear the cherry blossom shirt. The same profile as the third line Jack Cornelsen, also an Australian, came up with a 22-year professional contract in Japan, and he is still at Panasonic. Examples can be multiplied. In the last match we lost to the English, we counted eight names out of 23, from another country.

Recruited from the age of 15

Not all of them land as mercenaries, and the Japan Federation has also been trying to recruit young foreign agents for about fifteen years, to incorporate them into their school training.

Warner Derns, second line of 2m02 was born in New Zealand and landed in Japan at the age of 15 to follow his father, a professional team physical trainer.

Winger or winger Seuzaya Fifita was born in Tonga, was noticed in his country, and won a scholarship to Ishikawa College.

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Thus he was able to defend the colors of Japan from the youth classes. Veteran third line New Zealander Peter Leach (ex-captain) lived more or less in the same lane.

Japanese rugby will always find it difficult to compete in terms of strength and size, so it takes side routes to get closer to the top level.