Eddie Jones Eyes New Era for Japan Ahead of All Blacks Showdown

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Jones announced his squad for the game, which included five uncapped players. Japan has played seven Tests and two games against the Māori All Blacks this season. The squad named has an average of 10 Test caps per player.

During the season, it has lost to England (17-52), Māori All Blacks 10-36, Georgia (23-25), Italy (14-42) and Fiji (17-41). It has beaten the Māori All Blacks (26-14), Canada (55-28), USA (41-24) and Samoa (49-27).

Jones said, "We want to keep introducing new blood into Japanese rugby. Between 2020 and 2023, Japan had 33 new Test caps over four years. In 2024, we've had 17 already.

"We're bringing new blood in and creating a new generation of players to increase the depth and quality of our squad."

Japan finished second to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup.

"Across the PNC, we made some fantastic improvements, but in the end, we were not strong enough against Fiji.


"We played some very good rugby in the leadup to the final, particularly in terms of our continuity in attack.

"We need to bring this against New Zealand. We want to attack them with our speed and with relentless defence. We will have to be 100 per cent on the job for the whole time.

"When you play New Zealand, they're always the benchmark. For the last 20 years, they've been the best team in the world. We've got two weeks to get ready for the game.

"One thing I know is when you play New Zealand, you have to go after them, chase them and go hard."

Among the newcomers to the Japan side who have created interest is Opeti Helu, a powerful, mobile tighthead prop from Kubota Spears.

Flyhalf Ichigo Nakakusu, 24, who plays for the Ricoh Black Rams, is another who has impressed in League One and is expected to have an exciting future.

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