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The Rugby Championship 2023
Why Japan is not in TRC?
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<blockquote data-quote="psychic duck" data-source="post: 592902" data-attributes="member: 48703"><p>I'm not arguing the point that they would get thrashed by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. But it's worth noting that those stats aren't accurate reflection on Japan as they have always played their B team at the RWC against the top nations, such as the 2007 game against Australia and the 2011 game against New Zealand. They made something like 13 changes to the side that faced New Zealand in the last tournament after giving France a good game a few days earlier.</p><p></p><p>They did come quite close to beating Italy away in 2011, and nearly beat a full strength Samoan side in 2012. So I think they could be respectable against Argentina, and would have a very good chance of beating their June side.</p><p></p><p>Many people who just watch Tier 1 rugby underestimate Japan vastly based on their weakened team's thrashings against the big teams, but in reality they are bubbling under the likes of Italy and Scotland along with the likes of Canada rather than the Namibia-esque side those stats suggest. </p><p></p><p>When New Zealand play them this year they will field a much better team than they did in 2011 and hopefully can gain a bit of repair to their reputation and gain a bit of respect that has been harmed by some disastrous outings against New Zealand in the past.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="psychic duck, post: 592902, member: 48703"] I'm not arguing the point that they would get thrashed by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. But it's worth noting that those stats aren't accurate reflection on Japan as they have always played their B team at the RWC against the top nations, such as the 2007 game against Australia and the 2011 game against New Zealand. They made something like 13 changes to the side that faced New Zealand in the last tournament after giving France a good game a few days earlier. They did come quite close to beating Italy away in 2011, and nearly beat a full strength Samoan side in 2012. So I think they could be respectable against Argentina, and would have a very good chance of beating their June side. Many people who just watch Tier 1 rugby underestimate Japan vastly based on their weakened team's thrashings against the big teams, but in reality they are bubbling under the likes of Italy and Scotland along with the likes of Canada rather than the Namibia-esque side those stats suggest. When New Zealand play them this year they will field a much better team than they did in 2011 and hopefully can gain a bit of repair to their reputation and gain a bit of respect that has been harmed by some disastrous outings against New Zealand in the past. [/QUOTE]
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Why Japan is not in TRC?
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