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RUGBYU-WC-2019-JPN
It’s all Greek to Japan star Tamura at Rugby World Cup
TOKYO, Oct 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Japan fly-half Yu Tamura has been one of the
standout players of the Rugby World Cup to date — but captain’s orders are
apparently all Greek to the silky playmaker.
The 30-year-old currently leads the tournament’s scoring charts with 40
points after orchestrating the host nation’s Pool A victories over Russia,
Ireland and Samoa.
But it turns out orders from either regular skipper Michael Leitch or
Pieter Labuschagne — who took over the captain’s duties for the stunning 19-
12 upset over Ireland, and last weekend’s 38-19 win over Samoa — often go in
one ear and out the other.
Tamura has been involved in lengthy confabs with both players before
kicking penalties, and on Monday he revealed why.
“There’s usually a bit of communication from the team leaders but they’re
speaking in English, so I haven’t got a clue really,” he said.
“I’ll basically have a go from anywhere so I just get on with it, focus on
my kicking routine and don’t worry about it.”
Preparing for next weekend’s crunch game against Scotland in Yokohama —
when victory would see Japan reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first
time — Tamura insisted it would be business as usual for the Brave Blossoms.
“I don’t care about topping the World Cup points-scoring,” he shrugged.
“Matsu (Kotaro Matsushima} probably wants to get the most tries though,”
Tamura added with a grin.
Matsushima added a late bonus-point try against Samoa — his fourth of the
tournament — that could yet prove crucial to Jamie Joseph’s side.
But Japan are mindful of the 2015 World Cup when a defeat by Scotland, four
days after their shock 34-32 win over South Africa, cost them a place in the
knockout stage.
– Date with destiny –
“It’s fate I guess,” said Tamura, asked about his memories of four years
ago.
“That was a tough game schedule-wise — this time Scotland will have the
short turnaround, but I wouldn’t say that makes us favourites.
“There’s always big pressure on us,” he added. “But we don’t want to talk
too much about Scotland. We just have to trust the process, stay humble and
make sure we’re perfect.”
Tamura admitted there were a few sore bodies after a bruising battle with
Samoa but joked that Leitch was in a particularly “chipper mood” at breakfast
on Monday, his 31st birthday.
Tongan-born lock Uwe Helu added that the Japan team — half of whom hail
from overseas — would take their talismanic leader out for a “shabu-shabu”
beef hotpot to celebrate.
“We all belong to one culture,” said Helu, explaining the team’s close-knit
bond.
“The Japanese give everything, they respect everything. They have this
fighting spirit as the samurai had — it’s a model we’d like to follow.”
William Tupou, meanwhile, said it would be a “dream come true” for Japan to
progress to the quarter-finals.
“If we execute our plan we can do amazing things,” said the Auckland-born
utility back.
“That showed against Ireland, but we want to start from zero and take that
same mindset into a big game against Scotland — the boys are believing in
what we can do now.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/1118 hrs