[WOWOW Co., Ltd.] Former Japan Rugby Representative SH Shiro Tanaka talks about the pride of cherry blossoms: “We all want to share the joy of victory” Autumn Nations Series starts on Saturday, November 2nd!
WOWOW Co., Ltd. Press release: October 31, 2024 Former Japan Rugby Team SH Shiro Tanaka talks about cherry blossom pride: “I want everyone to share the joy of victory” Autumn Nations Series starts on Saturday, November 2nd! ◆”France vs Japan” 11/10 (Sun) 4:40 a.m. [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] ◆”England vs Japan” 11/25 (Mon) 0:00 a.m. :40 [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Image
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-5dfbc9528756bdb03c70fb59fc2d57bc-1800×1200.jpg ──The first match of the series will be England vs. New Zealand on Saturday, November 2nd. “It’s an interesting card, with a rivalry that continues with wins and losses. Personally, for me, the team that plays rugby that is interesting to watch is New Zealand. England play solid rugby by kicking and putting pressure on them. However, as a member of the Japanese national team, I think I can learn more from New Zealand rugby.” ──New Zealand failed to win the Rugby
Championship from August to September of this year (second place). How do you view the current new system? “I think they are having a bit of a hard time due to the big change in the members.Also, South Africa (who won the tournament for the first time in five tournaments with consecutive wins over New Zealand) has Brownie (former New Zealand national team and former Japan national team coach Tony Brown). I have gained even more confidence thanks to his experience as a coach, so I got the impression that New Zealand deserved to lose and lost.” Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-97119ae3da140850954ed9bb73587f59-3900×2600.jpg New Zealand representative/Getty Images ──South Africa has won the World Cup consecutively and also won this year’s Rugby Championship. Has your impression changed? “That’s right. We are no longer a team made up of only forwards, but now BKs can also score tries, and I feel like we are passing the ball to the backs. I think the number of fans is increasing because of this.” ──This series starts with England vs. New Zealand, but are there any other cards or teams you’re interested in? “Right now, I think Irish rugby is the most interesting, so I’m really looking forward to Ireland vs. New Zealand on Saturday, November 9th.Ireland have established a style that can be considered the perfect form of rugby that the Japanese national team wants to play. He plays perfect rugby.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-833bc9f5fd926b50fc1392adc9373a36-1777×1184.jpg Ireland national team/Getty Images I think Italy vs. Argentina on Sunday, November 10th will be a good match as both teams have improved their level. Italy played in a different way than before, as was the case in the match against Japan in July. Argentina is also showing world-class growth. Fiji, who played in a way that would put them in the top four in the world but were unable to break through, will play against Ireland on November 23rd (Saturday/Holiday), and we are keeping an eye on how the match will turn out. Also, all the French games look interesting. In addition to the Japan national team match on November 10th (Sunday), France vs. New Zealand on the 17th (Sunday) will be a match between the world rankings 4th and 3rd. I’m looking forward to this match as it will decide who is stronger.” ──Among such strong teams, the Japanese national team will play against France on November 10th (Sunday) and England on November 25th (Monday). “The current Japan national team is definitely working hard, but there are still many cases where they can’t take the lead when they should, and they can’t stop the defense when they could have, so they’re a bit back to how they were when they were young. I have a feeling that only they can improve their team, so I just need them to make an effort. Even under such circumstances, CTB Dylan (Riley)’s play is divine. I get the impression that they are relying on his individual skills, but I hope that the Japanese national team will use him better as a team.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-6d6587df3a486758c19b7a2df1e5a84b-3900×2600.jpg Dylan Riley/Getty Images –What do you think about SH and SO, which are the core of the Japanese national team’s “super-fast rugby”? “I think it’s good to try out various combinations. However, Hal (CTB captain Rido Tachikawa) is a good player and has captaincy, but the question is whether we can continue to make it to the 2027 World Cup. , I think it would be a good idea to give a chance in the future to Lee Seung-shin, Rikiya Matsuda, and Mikiya Takamoto, who missed out this time.” — Regarding SH, Shinobu Fujiwara, who has been highly praised by Mr. Tanaka, is becoming established as a starter. “He has really high ability and makes very good decisions when watching the game.That’s why I want players like him to take on the world challenge.By doing so, he will become stronger under pressure and improve his range of play.” In that regard, Naoto Saito has been playing internationally (he is playing in Toulouse, a top 14 team in the French league), and I think he is having great experience. Masunee”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-33dc6bdccdd00df43e16551a0d5d3c5f-3000×2000.jpg Shinobu Fujiwara/Getty Images ──Also, this time, FL/No.8 Kazuki Himeno has returned to the national team. “He was the captain of the 2023 World Cup, and must have had a great influence on the team.In terms of performance, of course, he is also a player with experience in the World Cup and Super Rugby, so he has a lot of influence on other players. I think it will bring a lot of things.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-8a10c35aec15436303e71e5acbaaafdf-3900×2600.jpg Kazuki Himeno/Getty Images ──The Japanese national team will first play against France on November 10th (Sunday). “There was a time when so-called “champagne rugby” was no longer the case, but I have the impression that the original rugby is coming back.This is a very unpleasant team to play against.The key point of the match is still the set piece. I don’t think so.The other thing is defense.The current Japanese team sometimes plays good defense, but sometimes they get caught in the moment, so if they can stay focused and defend well while being careful about penalties, they have a chance of winning. I’m thinking” ──What do you think about SH Antoine Dupont, who won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics as a member of the French sevens team and returned to the 15-a-side squad? “He is an extremely talented and wonderful player. He made a spectacular comeback at Toulouse, and his speed in kick chases, which he has gained from his experience with the Sevens, is a threat. As the Japan representative, we will be able to put a lot of pressure on him and easily get the ball. I think it’s important to create a situation where they don’t let the ball get in.Furthermore, FB Thomas Ramos has accurate kicks, so we need to be careful about penalties.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-2bc32a7daf37dc98007f403bee897e4d-1600×1067.jpg Antoine Dupont/Getty Images ──What kind of development would you like to bring to the table as a representative of Japan? “The key is to get a low score.If your opponent doesn’t take it, you have a better chance of not losing, so the only thing left to do is to take it when you can.If you keep playing for too long, you may lose your stamina and speed and lose. There are some cases where you can be attacked, so I would like you to make an impactful attack.” ──Furthermore, the Japanese national team will play against England on November 25th (Monday). “England are playing solid rugby. However, in the 2023 World Cup and in the match against them in June this year, they were not able to break down at all, so it will be important in this match to take advantage of opportunities when they can. Measures against the ball are important. The Japanese national team has been getting better at catching high balls recently, but I want them to think more about how to attack from there, and I want them to show more.” > ──This will be the third match in about a year since the 2023 World Cup. “From my point of view, I’m jealous, but there’s no point in going to the field just to compete. I want you to play with only the goal of winning, even though you’re putting your body through a lot of stress.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-25b21b4fe2487d8ff14b392507695092-3900×2600.jpg Freddie Steward/Getty Images ──Please tell us which players you would like to be especially careful about. “Freddie Steward, the FB player, is a player who can do everything from kicking to catching to running, so we have to be careful.Of course, SO Marcus Smith is also a player who uses all kinds of skills to set things up. But he did it for me. However, they are just players, so if they respond as a team, there shouldn’t be any problems. I had the impression that they were able to break through from the juncture between the forwards and the back-keepers, so I would like the Japanese national team to
communicate better in response. If we don’t win, the pride of the Sakura emblem will continue to suffer. I sincerely hope that you will be more conscious of this in your matches.” ──The Autumn Nations Series is a series in which each country fights for their pride. Mr. Tanaka, please tell us what you think are the highlights. “Each country has its own color, and I want people to watch various types of rugby and different styles, and find a country that they think is fun to watch.If possible, I would like people to pay attention to the Japanese national team, but also find a country that they like. I think it would be even more fun to watch rugby if you could find your favorite team.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-0748fb0920d819c2eb28e06d7237771d-1800×1200.jpg ──Finally, please give us your expectations and message for the Japanese national team. “I want them to win. All I want to do now is win. It doesn’t matter what country our opponent is, if we can taste the joy of winning against a team that is ranked higher than us, we will work harder, so if possible, we will win all of this series. I would be happy if everyone could share the joy.” ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Tanaka himself dedicated his body and soul to this victory for the Japanese national team. That’s the one thing I really wish for. Not only the players but all Japanese fans are looking forward to seeing them overcome the high hurdle of competing against a strong team on enemy territory. Please share your moments of joy with WOWOW’s live streaming. ◆◆◆ [WOWOW Rugby distribution/broadcast information] ◆◆◆ [Rugby Test Match 2024 Autumn Nations Series]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/7986/1355-7986-71809030728862578a7ccbdd1fe3164e-2521×1515.jpg Photo: Afro “England vs New Zealand” November 2nd (Sat) 11:55 pm [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] “Scotland vs Fiji” November 3rd (Sunday/Holiday) 2:25 a.m. [WOWOW On Demand] “Ireland vs New Zealand” November 9th (Sat) 4:55am [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] “England vs Australia” November 9th (Sat) 11:55 pm [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] “Italy vs Argentina” November 10th (Sunday) 2:25am [WOWOW On Demand] “France vs Japan” Sunday, November 10th 4:40 am [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] “Wales vs Fiji” Sunday, November 10th 10:25pm [WOWOW On Demand] “Scotland vs South Africa” November 11th (Monday) 0:55 am [WOWOW On Demand] “Ireland vs Argentina” Saturday, November 16th 4:55am [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] “Scotland vs Portugal” Saturday, November 16th 11:55pm [WOWOW On Demand] “England vs South Africa” Sunday, November 17th 2:25am [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] “France vs New Zealand” Sunday, November 17th 4:55 am [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] “Italy vs Georgia” Sunday, November 17th 10:25pm [WOWOW On Demand] “Wales vs Australia” November 18th (Monday) 0:55 am [WOWOW On Demand] “France vs Argentina” November 23rd (Sat/Holiday) 4:55 a.m. [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] “Ireland vs Fiji” November 23rd (Sat/Holiday) 11:55pm [WOWOW On Demand] “Wales vs South Africa” November 24th (Sunday) 2:25am [WOWOW On Demand] “Italy vs New Zealand” Sunday, November 24th 4:55 am [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] “Scotland vs Australia” Sunday, November 24th 10:25pm [WOWOW On Demand] “England vs Japan” November 25th (Monday) 0:40 am [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] “Ireland vs Australia” Saturday, November 30th 11:55pm [WOWOW On Demand] (*Times may change) [Rugby Test Match 2024 Japan vs Uruguay] Saturday, November 16th 10:15pm [WOWOW On Demand] *Time subject to change [All Blacks Documentary Series ~2023 Challenge to the top and behind the scenes~ (subtitled version)] [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] #1 “Death Battle Final” November 17th (Sunday) 7:40 a.m. #2 “The Battle Begins” November 17th (Sunday) 8:05am #3 “Indomitable Soul” November 24th (Sunday) 7:40 a.m. #4 “Pride of the Kingdom” November 24th (Sunday) 8:05am The All Blacks, the New Zealand national team, captivate rugby fans around the world. We look back on the 2023 World Cup, which unfortunately did not reach the top, in their words. [Eddie Times 2024] Eddie Jones again. Rugby content that takes a sharp and deep look at the world rugby situation, as well as the challenges of a famous captain and the Japanese national team who aim to become the world’s top players in “super-fast rugby.” Now available for free on WOWOW On Demand! ・Eddie Times 2024 Vol.11 ~Looking back at the Pacific Nations Cup~ ・Eddie Times 2024 Vol.12 ~Toru Kurihara x Eddie Jones Top Coach Conversation~ ◆Click here for the latest broadcast and distribution schedules◆ [WOWOW rugby official website] https://www.wowow.co.jp/sports/rugby/ [WOWOW Rugby Official X] https://twitter.com/wowow_rugby [WOWOW On Demand] https://wod.wowow.co.jp/genre/148
