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If Japan want any extra inspiration for Sunday evening’s Rugby World Cup sport with England at Stade de Good then all they need to do is watch a replay of Saturday’s sport between Portugal and Wales on the identical stadium.
Portugal, one among simply 4 international locations Japan have crushed for the reason that final World Cup, could have misplaced 28-8 however they displayed precisely the kind of rugby the Courageous Blossoms might want to make the most of if they’re to upset the 2003 champions.
Fast ruck ball, good offloads and a intelligent kicking sport had been on the forefront of the Portuguese assault, whereas resolute tackling and physicality on the breakdown highlighted their defensive effort. Additionally they stole a few line-outs from the Six Nations facet at key instances.
Wales flanker Jac Morgan (entrance) carries the ball towards Portugal throughout a Rugby World Cup Pool C match at Stade de Good in France on Sept. 16, 2023.(Kyodo)
The locals within the crowd definitely loved the hassle and player-of-the-match Jac Morgan was additionally impressed.
“I’ve bought to present full credit score to Portugal,” stated the Wales flanker. “I assumed they had been good at the moment. They introduced that physicality and actually examined us just a few instances in that sport. They had been excellent.”
An early attempt by Wales speedster Louis Rees-Zammit had many within the crowd pondering it might be one-way site visitors. However Os Lobos by no means let up and the explosion of noise that greeted Nicolas Martins as he crossed within the second half in entrance of the passionate Portuguese followers informed its personal story.
“That was unimaginable,” the Portugal flanker stated. “First time to play in entrance of 30,000 individuals, it is one thing particular. We’re a small nation, we’re not a rustic of rugby, so it is actually vital for us to indicate that we are able to exist at a excessive degree and compete towards good groups like Wales, Australia and Georgia.”
Full-back Nuno Sousa Guedes’ footwork repeatedly bamboozled the Welsh defenders and ought to be what Semisi Masirewa, Jone Naikabula and Kotaro Matsushima look to emulate towards England, whereas the Courageous Blossoms might be in with an opportunity if they’ll replicate the eagerness and tenacity of the Portuguese pack.
“We simply have to benefit from each alternative we create and ensure we’re in a position to take care of the bodily energy of the English sport,” Japan assistant coach Tony Brown stated earlier Saturday on the workforce’s coaching base in Monaco. “Hopefully we are able to play higher as a workforce and put sufficient stress on them to create alternatives for us.”
That’s precisely what Portugal did however they only couldn’t benefit from these alternatives.
“It is one thing I remorse,” stated Portugal coach Patrice Lagisquet. “It is irritating. We did not have sufficient skilled gamers. We lacked a little bit of readability on just a few actions. Once we managed to interrupt by way of, we did not handle to complete. We have to be affected person.”
Japan have the expertise that Portugal lacked, they usually suppose they’re in the fitting place to create one other upset.
“It has been an superior preparation week,” Brown stated. “We’re up towards a extremely powerful workforce. However our power round our workforce is how we put together for video games. We have had a tremendous 5 or 6 days and we expect we have ready the boys in addition to we are able to.”
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