Stalling Japan look for Asian jump-start
The Brave Blossoms, who sensationally won three pool matches at the World Cup, have drafted in several players from Tokyo-based Super Rugby side the Sunwolves for a game they will be expected to win comfortably.
Openside flank Taiyo Ando, involved in last weekend's 36-28 victory over the Jaguares, will start alongside Sunwolves squad members Kengo Kitagawa, Futoshi Mori, Kazuhiko Usami, Ryohei Yamanaka and Hajime Yamashita.
Japan will be led by interim coach Ryuji Nakatake as the Asian champions look to rule by committee before former All Black Jamie Joseph takes over in August, once he sees out his contract with the Highlanders.
Before that Sunwolves coach Mark Hammett will take the helm for three Tests in June, including a pair of home Tests with Scotland – an arrangement former coach Eddie Jones, now in charge of England, has blasted as "crazy".
Japan's momentum has stalled since their World Cup effort, which included a stunning 34-32 upset of two-time champions South Africa – the biggest shock in tournament history.
To underline the fact, a new-look Japan features 17 uncapped players and not one member of last year's World Cup squad with many unavailable due to club commitments overseas.
Tokai University student Ryuji Noguchi, already being spoken of as the "next Ayumu Goromaru", will look to stake his claim to a regular place.
"I feel great responsibility," said the 20-year-old fullback on being compared to Japan's World Cup superstar. "I hope to be able to try and match Goromaru-san, take the initiative and play with pride."
Japan have won 31 of 32 matches in the Asian tournament and its forerunner, the Asian Five Nations, their perfect record only tarnished after their match against Hong Kong last year was declared a draw after a downpour.
The holders will be overwhelming favourites to win a 24th Asian title since 1969 against the Koreans and Hong Kong, but failure to post cricket-score wins could spark criticism after failing to build on the success achieved under Jones.
Japan, who broke into the world's top 10 for the first time under Jones, will be contesting world ranking points in the home-and-away competition.
But the progress they made over the past four years is in danger of unravelling and only a convincing showing in the Asian Rugby Championship is likely to silence the doubters, at least until Joseph finally takes up his post.
South Korea won three continental titles in a row during their heyday in the 1980s and were last crowned Asian champions in 2002, but have rarely threatened since.
The competition runs until June 4.
Agence France-Presse
