Latest news with #MichaelLeitch
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Japan v Wales preview, teams and how to follow
Michael Leitch has played in four World Cups while Dewi Lake has so far played in one [Getty Images] Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Advertisement Wales will finish their desperate season in Kobe on Saturday hoping to record a first Test victory in 644 days. The tourists face the Brave Blossoms under the closed roof at Noevir Stadium desperate to gain revenge for last weekend's 24-19 defeat in Kitakyushu, in which they led 19-7 with 20 minutes remaining. That represented an 18th successive defeat with Wales' previous victory coming 21 months ago when they defeated Georgia in the World Cup in Nantes in October 2023. Wales could set a new record losing streak for a tier one side if they slip to a 19th loss and surpass the sequence of France between 1911 and 1920. Advertisement Eddie Jones' Japan, expertly led by captain Michael Leitch, are looking to create their own history by recording back-to-back wins against a tier one nation for the first time and also gain a first 2-0 series win against Wales. Wales' loss to Japan last week saw them slip to a lowest-ever position of 14th in the world rankings with Jones' side leaping to 12th. Where is the match being played? The game is being played at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe which has also been called the Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium. It is the home ground of J1 League football club Vissel Kobe and the rugby union side Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Advertisement In 1970, Kobe Central Football Stadium was opened at the site of the Kobe Keirin Track. It was the first football stadium in Japan to be able to host games at night following the installation of floodlights. In order to host 2002 Fifa World Cup matches, the stadium was renovated to install a removable roof and increase spectator capacity. It was opened under the name Kobe Wing Stadium in November 2001 with a capacity of 42,000. The ground also hosted four group games in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The stadium now has a capacity of 30,132. How hot and humid will it be? In a word, very. That retractable roof will be closed this weekend and provide testing humid conditions for both sides. Advertisement Last week's game was played in 31C with high humidity making ball-handling difficult. The forecast for Saturday is three degrees hotter and the game will be effectively played in an indoor stadium which means the humidity will rise. Jones said it was "quite ironic talking about roofs when you're playing against Wales" as he referred to the 26-year debate that has surrounded matches staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium which also has a roof. "Having known the goings-on when you go there with England, whether it's going to be open or closed, is it going to rain, is it not going to rain," said Jones. Advertisement "All those machinations are the same in every country in the world. "When we go up in the northern hemisphere, no one turns the heaters on." Japan and Wales team news Japan coach Jones has again named an inexperienced line-up, with four starters winning their second caps and four uncapped players on the bench. Scrum-half Naoto Saito, who won the French Top 14 title with Toulouse last month, returns to the starting line-up in place of Shinobu Fujiwara. Backs Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea, who both scored after coming off the bench to make their debuts in last week's game, are named in the starting side, while prop Keijiro Tamefusa and number eight Faulua Makisi are also included. Advertisement Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has made four changes to his starting line-up, with Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards being given a first international start instead of Sam Costelow. Number eight Aaron Wainwright replaces the experienced Taulupe Faletau, who has not recovered from heat-related cramps. Gloucester's Freddie Thomas comes in at lock after Ben Carter was ruled out following a head injury in the first minute of last week's game. Bath's Archie Griffin takes over at tight-head prop from Keiron Assiratti in a side again captained by hooker Dewi Lake. Uncapped trio Chris Coleman, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles are all named on the bench. Advertisement How the teams line-up Japan: Ichigo Nakakusu; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea; Seungsin Lee, Naito Sato; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi. Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazema Ueda. Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright. Advertisement Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles. Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR) Television Match Official (TMO): Glenn Newman (NZR) What the coaches said Japan head coach Eddie Jones: "Japan has never had a record of beating a top-tier team back-to-back so we've got a chance to create history," said Jones, who again named Michael Leitch as captain after an outstanding display from the 36-year-old last week. "But the more important thing for us is that we know we can play better. Advertisement "We played well in the first game but we know we're going to have to play with more intensity, more effort, execute our plays." Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt: "It was a tough changing room in Kitayushu after the boys had put so much into the week that what I didn't want to do was get them back in Monday and almost re-open the wounds, so we had two days off," he said. "First and foremost, I think that was probably the most important thing, and then we showed them the score at 60 minutes, which was 19-7 to us. "We didn't get enough set-piece in quality positions from 20 minutes on, so we were just factual and said if we can do that, then we've got a chance of winning the game." Advertisement How can I follow the game on BBC Sport? You can watch the game live on S4C and BBC iPlayer or listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds with kick-off at 06:50 BST. You can follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. There will also be post-match reaction and analysis online and via BBC Radio Wales and the Scrum V podcast.
Japan Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Jones urges Brave Blossoms to 'create history' against Wales
Head coach Eddie Jones said Japan had a "chance to create history" with back-to-back wins over Wales as he named his team on Thursday for their second match in Kobe. The Brave Blossoms came from behind to beat the Welsh 24-19 in Kitakyushu last weekend and they are now looking to claim consecutive wins over a Tier One country for the first time. Jones again named an inexperienced lineup, with four starters winning their second caps and four uncapped players on the bench. Scrumhalf Naoto Saito, who won the French Top 14 title with Toulouse last month, returns to the starting lineup in place of Shinobu Fujiwara. Jones said it was "important that we just keep growing as a team." "Japan has never had a record of beating a top-tier team back-to-back so we've got a chance to create history," said Jones, who again named Michael Leitch as captain after an outstanding display from the 36-year-old last week. "But the more important thing for us is that we know we can play better. "We played well in the first game — we know we're going to have to play with more intensity, more effort, execute our plays." Last week's game was played in 31 degrees Celsius heat with high humidity, making ball-handling difficult. The forecast for Saturday is three degrees hotter, but the game will be played in a stadium with a retractable roof. Jones said he did not know if the roof would be open or closed, but remarked that it was "quite ironic talking about roofs when you're playing against Wales." "Having known the goings-on when you go there with England, whether it's going to be open or closed, is it going to rain, is it not going to rain," he said. "All those machinations are the same in every country in the world. "When we go up in the northern hemisphere, no one turns the heaters on." Jones made five changes to his starting line-up. Backs Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea, who both scored after coming off the bench to make their debuts in last week's game, were named in the starting fifteen.
France 24
10-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Jones urges Japan to 'create history' against Wales
Japan came from behind to beat the Welsh 24-19 in Kitakyushu last weekend and they are now looking to claim consecutive wins over a Tier One country for the first time. Jones again named an inexperienced line-up, with four starters winning their second caps and four uncapped players on the bench. Scrum-half Naoto Saito, who won the French Top 14 title with Toulouse last month, returns to the starting line-up in place of Shinobu Fujiwara. Jones said it was "important that we just keep growing as a team". "Japan has never had a record of beating a top-tier team back-to-back so we've got a chance to create history," said Jones, who again named Michael Leitch as captain after an outstanding display from the 36-year-old last week. "But the more important thing for us is that we know we can play better. "We played well in the first game -- we know we're going to have to play with more intensity, more effort, execute our plays." Last week's game was played in 31 Celsius heat with high humidity making ball-handling difficult. The forecast for Saturday is three degrees hotter and the game will be played in a stadium with a retractable roof. Jones said he did not know if the roof would be open or closed, but remarked that it was "quite ironic talking about roofs when you're playing against Wales". "Having known the goings-on when you go there with England, whether it's going to be open or closed, is it going to rain, is it not going to rain," he said. "All those machinations are the same in every country in the world. "When we go up in the northern hemisphere, no one turns the heaters on." Jones made five changes to his starting line-up. Backs Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea, who both scored after coming off the bench to make their debuts in last week's game, were named in the starting XV. Japan (15-1): Ichigo Nakakusu; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea; Seungsin Lee, Naoto Saito; Faulua Makisi, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch (capt); Warner Dearns, Epineri Uluiviti; Keijiro Tamefusa, Mamoru Harada, Yota Kamimori.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wales aim to change Leitch opinion after heat comments
Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Advertisement Wales are hoping Japan captain Michael Leitch will not see the tourists struggling in the Kobe heat on Saturday. Leitch said the Wales players were "blowing" and "the guys in the red shirts were feeling it more than us" during the latter stages of Japan's 24-19 victory in Kitakyushu. Conditions are expected to be very humid in Kobe in the second Test match with with the Noevir Stadium having a retractable roof that is expected to be closed as Japan look to complete a first series victory against Wales. "Their captain came out after the game and said a few things," said Wales scrum coach Adam Jones. Advertisement "So hopefully we'll pay heed to that and hopefully he'll have a different opinion of us after the game on Saturday." The match kicked off at 14:00 local time in the mid-afternoon session with this weekend's start time 50 minutes later. The extreme conditions resulted in three-minute water breaks being introduced in each half and an extended half-time interval of 20 minutes, with players wearing ice caps to keep cool. "It was sensible around World Rugby, giving the water breaks," said Jones. "It was touch-and-go whether that was going to be the case but there was enough stoppages and ball-in-play time wasn't massive." Advertisement The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) lobbied to change the kick-off time but Japan and head coach Eddie Jones had their wish of when the game started. "A lot of it was made around Eddie having the time [he wanted]," said Jones. "If I remember correctly, Wales played the same sort of time in the last summer tour when we were in Japan. So I am sure Eddie was not up to his old tricks." Before arriving in Japan, Wales tried to prepare the players with sessions in a special heat chamber. "It was hot for both sides, we've done as much as we can, being in Wales, it's not as if we're living in Dubai," said Jones. Advertisement "You can put the boys in the heated chamber, have them wearing extra layers of stuff, but it doesn't replicate that." Seeking scrum clarity The Welsh set-piece struggled in the Japan heat as the visitors' scrum initially had the upper hand before the hosts took control. Jones says he has sought clarity of some of the interpretations of referee Damian Schneider, with the more experienced English official Luke Pearce taking charge in Kobe on Saturday. "It was frustrating I didn't pick up on what they [Japan] were doing, it's hard when you're not in there," said Jones. Advertisement "I've had a few positive phone calls and chats with the people we need to speak to around this type of stuff, so hopefully it'll be a bit different on the weekend and looked at in a different way. "We need to be better ourselves, we'll change a few bits around and hopefully we put a better performance on the field. "I'm pretty analytical. I won't be ranting or raving. I'll make sure we get back to what we need to do and get the process that gives us the best chance of being dominant." Japan kept their front-row trio on for 80 minutes in the searing sunshine. Advertisement "They were technically good," said Jones. "We were bigger, as in bigger men, heavier men, but certainly across the back five of the scrum, there was a lot of weight constantly through the whole course of the game."
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wales aim to change Leitch opinion after heat comments
Summer tour second Test: Japan v WalesVenue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BSTCoverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Wales are hoping Japan captain Michael Leitch will not see the tourists struggling in the Kobe heat on said the Wales players were "blowing" and "the guys in the red shirts were feeling it more than us" during the latter stages of Japan's 24-19 victory in are expected to be very humid in Kobe in the second Test match with with the Noevir Stadium having a retractable roof that is expected to be closed as Japan look to complete a first series victory against Wales."Their captain came out after the game and said a few things," said Wales scrum coach Adam Jones."So hopefully we'll pay heed to that and hopefully he'll have a different opinion of us after the game on Saturday." The match kicked off at 14:00 local time in the mid-afternoon session with this weekend's start time 50 minutes extreme conditions resulted in three-minute water breaks being introduced in each half and an extended half-time interval of 20 minutes, with players wearing ice caps to keep cool."It was sensible around World Rugby, giving the water breaks," said Jones."It was touch-and-go whether that was going to be the case but there was enough stoppages and ball-in-play time wasn't massive."The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) lobbied to change the kick-off time but Japan and head coach Eddie Jones had their wish of when the game started."A lot of it was made around Eddie having the time [he wanted]," said Jones."If I remember correctly, Wales played the same sort of time in the last summer tour when we were in Japan. So I am sure Eddie was not up to his old tricks."Before arriving in Japan, Wales tried to prepare the players with sessions in a special heat chamber."It was hot for both sides, we've done as much as we can, being in Wales, it's not as if we're living in Dubai," said Jones."You can put the boys in the heated chamber, have them wearing extra layers of stuff, but it doesn't replicate that." Seeking scrum clarity The Welsh set-piece struggled in the Japan heat as the visitors' scrum initially had the upper hand before the hosts took says he has sought clarity of some of the interpretations of referee Damian Schneider, with the more experienced English official Luke Pearce taking charge in Kobe on Saturday."It was frustrating I didn't pick up on what they [Japan] were doing, it's hard when you're not in there," said Jones."I've had a few positive phone calls and chats with the people we need to speak to around this type of stuff, so hopefully it'll be a bit different on the weekend and looked at in a different way."We need to be better ourselves, we'll change a few bits around and hopefully we put a better performance on the field."I'm pretty analytical. I won't be ranting or raving. I'll make sure we get back to what we need to do and get the process that gives us the best chance of being dominant."Japan kept their front-row trio on for 80 minutes in the searing sunshine."They were technically good," said Jones."We were bigger, as in bigger men, heavier men, but certainly across the back five of the scrum, there was a lot of weight constantly through the whole course of the game."
