Japan made a game of it in the first-half, trailing 12-7 at the break.
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“We’re not the strongest team out there but we are definitely one of the toughest”.
The Stormers confirmed the agreement with Jones just 48 hours before Japan’s pivotal World Cup meeting with Scotland in Gloucester later tonight.
Jones said Japan – who play in red and white – will need local support in Gloucester to prove they deserve their new higher standing in the rugby pecking order.
Cotter, like most rugby fans, didn’t count on Japan stunning the Springboks with a 34-32 win on Saturday, and Jones’ side are now looking to make it two from two against the Scots. Nevertheless while it is probably safe to assumed that the Japan will be missing their impressive number eight, Amanaki Mafi, they retain the ability to beat the Pacific Island nation.
The wounded Springboks believe they can still win the Rugby World Cup despite the humiliation inflicted by the defeat at the hands of Japan, star flanker Francois Louw said. “The back-row battle is going to be really interesting”. “They managed to keep composure even after a few hard times close to our line and come away with the win”.
“We wanted to scrum rather than take the kick because they were down a man and I personally wanted to go for a win rather than a draw”, Leitch told the Rugby World Cup’s official website.
But having avoided a potentially risky banana skin, hopes have been raised that they can now go on to challenge the Boks for top spot in their group.
But the Japan master tactician said research had shown the Pool B rivals, who will be playing their first game in the tournament, get all their points in the first half. You’ve got to accept it and suck it up.
Somewhat undeservedly from a Japanese point of view the game turned into a rout as their tired bodies failed to stop Bennett going over for his second try, with Laidlaw adding the conversion.
There was to be no repeat of Japan’s heroics against South Africa as they were beaten 45-10 by Scotland at Kingsholm. “We were just not good enough mate”, was how Jones responded after being asked to reassess his earlier statement.
“We didn’t feel any pressure in the South Africa game”.
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After the biggest upset in World Cup history, South Africa have vowed to come roaring back in their game against Samoa in Birmingham on Saturday. “We have nearly got to look at it that way”.
