Himeno will lead Japan
On Tuesday, the Japan coach revealed a list of 30 players for the upcoming World Cup, including Kazuki Himeno, who was chosen captain of the “Brave Blossoms” team. Injuries still leave three spots open in this group.
Japan intends to confirm. Four years after reaching the quarter-finals of the home World Cup, marked in particular by successes against Ireland and Scotland, the “Brave Blossoms” are poised to compete in the 2023 edition. Just under a month before their training starts against Chile on the pitch Toulouse, Japanese coach Jimmy Joseph revealed part of his list for the 2023 World Cup. The New Zealand technician confirmed only 30 names on the list of 33 players requested by the World Rugby Team and confirmed that he was “not yet able” to give the last three names due to injuries that generate uncertainty. On this occasion, Jimmy Joseph confirmed that the role of the captain will be played by the third line Kazuki Himeno.
Will the Japanese go further #RWC2019 ? #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/BVqTRvnZnH
– Rugby World Cup (RugbyWorldCupFR) August 15, 2023
Joseph: “We are very confident”
The latter has developed significantly during the 2021 season under the colors of the New Zealand Highlanders. The Nagoya native is one of thirteen players selected to take part in the 2019 FIFA World Cup. Former Clermont player Kotaro Matsushima, who scored five tries four years ago, as well as former captain Michael Leach will not miss the trip to France. “We are very confident after what we accomplished in 2019. We surprised the world with the way we played rugby. After the first meeting against Chile, the ‘Brave Blossoms’ will have a real test on September 17 in Nice against England. They will continue against Samoa on the 28th,” the Japanese coach assured the press. September in Toulouse and then they go to Nantes on October 8 to wrap up the group stage against Argentina.
List of 30 players selected with Japan
pillars: Keita Inagaki, Craig Millar, Seon Halalili, Asaili Ai-Valu, Jeon Jo, Shinnosuke Kakinaga
prostitutes: Atsushi Sakat, Shota Hori, Kosuke Horikoshi
Second lines: James Moore
Third lines: Ben Gunter, Kazuki Himeno (hat), Shota Fukui, Michael Leach, Jack Cornelson
Scrum half: Naoto Saito, Yutaka Nagari, Kenta Fukuda
fly half: Gambei Ogura, Rikiya Matsuda, Songsin Lee
Centres: Tomoki Osada, Dylan Riley, Ryuto Nakamura, Shugo Nakano
Wings: John Nikapola, Semisi Masirewa, Siosaia Fifita, Lomano Lava Lemeki
behind : Kotaro Matsushima
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