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Taking over from the charismatic and compelling Eddie Jones as Japan coach after their victory over South Africa four years ago was never going to be an easy task but Jamie Joseph has put his own mark on the Brave Blossoms.
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union – Rugby World Cup warm-up match – England v Italy – St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain – September 6, 2019 England head coach Eddie Jones during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes
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TOKYO: Taking over from the charismatic and compelling Eddie Jones as Japan coach after their victory over South Africa four years ago was never going to be an easy task but Jamie Joseph has put his own mark on the Brave Blossoms.
Since taking over in 2016, the former New Zealand flanker, who also played at the 1999 World Cup for Japan, has focussed on evolving his players' mental state and creating an identity of dynamic, attacking rugby.
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Joseph may shun the limelight and is noticeably much less comfortable in front of the media than Jones, but with the aim of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, he has Japan coming into their home tournament raring to go.
On the way to winning the Pacific Nations Cup last month, Japan chalked up 14 tries and 109 points during three matches, playing a free-flowing style of rugby that will entertain home fans at the World Cup.
Joseph's plans have been years in the making but it is over the past nine months the philosophy has really taken hold.
Due to a shortened Top League domestic season, Joseph and his coaching staff have essentially been in camp with their players since the beginning of the year and the 49-year-old now believes the foundations are in place for his ideas to flourish.
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Japan's game is now based on "speed, skill and unstructure", which Joseph believes best utilise his players' strengths but have required months of intensive fitness t
