Ahead of Saturday’s Test match against the Wallabies in Osaka, Japan’s rugby coach Eddie Jones has subtly shifted the spotlight onto his former countrymen, suggesting the pressure to win rests firmly with Australia. Speaking via Zoom after naming his side, Jones, known for his strategic mind games and past critiques, adopted a measured tone, emphasizing the opportunity for his Japanese Brave Blossoms to make history against a top-ranked opponent.
Jones’s Strategic Approach Ahead of the Test
The pre-match press conference, conducted remotely, offered a glimpse into Jones’s coaching philosophy. While some anticipated sharp barbs, Jones instead focused on his team’s development and the significance of the fixture. “It’s another test match for us to grow and learn and compete against the team in the top eight in the world,” Jones stated. He highlighted Japan’s winless record against Australia in their seven official Test matches, framing the upcoming game as a chance to “create new history.” Jones acknowledged Japan’s narrowing gap with the Wallabies, evident in their previous encounter last year, and expressed confidence that this difference would be further minimized.
When questioned about his team selection, particularly the omission of former Reds player Harry Hockings from the starting lineup, Jones defended his choices. He noted that Wallabies coach Les Kiss had identified Hockings and captain Warner Dearns as key threats. Jones explained that he had moved Australian-born player Jack Cornelsen to the second row, pairing him with Kanji Shimokawa, a mobile backrower tasked with containing the Wallabies’ Fraser McReight. “This is the best 23 and we’ve got the highest confidence that they can do the job for Japan on the weekend at Osaka,” Jones asserted. “The team’s prepared really well. I think we probably had one of our best preparation periods, and we feel like we’re ready to go after Australia.”
Shifting the Pressure to the Wallabies
It was in discussing the Wallabies’ expectations that Jones directly applied pressure. “You know, there’s a lot of pressure on Australia,” he remarked. “They got a very experienced team. It’s a game that they’d be expected to win. So we want to make sure we’re putting pressure on them right from the start.” This statement underscores Jones’s long-standing tactic of managing external expectations to benefit his own team.
Reflecting on his own history as an Australian coach who took over mid-season, Jones was asked if the transition in the Wallabies’ coaching staff, with Les Kiss at the helm, presented an opportunity for Japan. Jones suggested that the transition would likely be smooth, given Kiss’s prior relationship with former Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his experience coaching the Queensland Reds. “Les and Joe have had a pretty close relationship going back to when Les was in Ireland, so their thinking would be the same,” Jones observed. “There’ll be little nuances they change, but I think it’ll be a reasonably easy transition given also that Les coached the Reds and a number of the players he selected have come from the Reds team. I see that being a fairly seamless transition.”
However, Jones reiterated his team’s focus on their own performance. “Look, we’re more interested in ourselves than Australia. You know, we believe it’s a team that can beat Australia. And Australia’s got a very experienced team.” He pointed out the development of many Wallabies players who were emerging talents at the 2023 World Cup and now possess significant international experience. “If you look at a number of those players, they were young players back in the 2023 World Cup, now they have 50 or 60 caps next to their name. So they’re coming into their prime stage of their careers. So we’re going to have to be at our best, and we’re prepared to be at our best, so we’re really looking forward to getting the chance to make history.”
Conditions and Expectations
When questioned about the current heatwave conditions in Japan potentially favoring his team, Jones dismissed the idea with a characteristic analogy. “Well, I’ve never gone to France at Stade de France and they put on the heaters for you, have you?” he asked rhetorically. “That’s Test match rugby, you know? You go home and away, and you play in the conditions.” This response emphasized that adapting to the environment is part of the challenge of international rugby.
The press conference concluded shortly after, with Jones offering thanks before the Zoom call ended. While the anticipated verbal fireworks were minimal, the underlying message was clear: Eddie Jones is focused on his team’s growth and historical opportunity, while strategically placing the burden of expectation squarely on the shoulders of the Wallabies.
Looking Ahead to Game Day
As the teams prepare to face off in Osaka, the narrative set by Jones suggests a determined Japanese side ready to challenge a favored Australian team. The match promises to be a compelling contest, with Japan aiming to upset the odds and secure their first-ever Test victory against Australia, while the Wallabies will be under pressure to demonstrate their experience and justify their higher ranking.
