Japan ready for Chile to bring the heat in simmering Toulouse / Photo: Charly TRIBALLEAU - AFP
-
Hong Kong homes flattened for US$28 bn high-tech hub
-
Lights out in Laos as electricity exports surge
-
'Be careful what you wish for': 'Obsession' director and star reflect on success
-
'This is the test': All eyes on US Fed to tackle high inflation
-
Messi scores but Miami held by Nashville
-
Scars of Marawi siege linger as Philippines poll nears
-
US Open champ Rybakina on top of world after injury scare
-
Trump turns to golf, family business on Irish visit's second day
-
Rybakina reigns serene as new world number one
-
Defiant Sabalenka motivated by US Open defeat
-
South Africa defeat New Zealand 43-28 to complete 3-1 series victory
-
Houthis say hit Saudi base after renewed fighting with Yemeni govt forces
-
Rybakina triumphs in US Open, denies Sabalenka three-peat
-
Gilbert Arenas questions Jonathan Kuminga's decision to join Minnesota
-
Akron fan's honorary play-calling stint ends with opening-drive fumble
-
Cristian Mungiu's Fjord examines a family's conflict with Norwegian child authorities
-
Louisiana's developing roster faces USC as Trojans enter as heavy favorites
-
United States beats Spain 76-66 to set up World Cup final against France
-
Christa Pike seeks clemency before September 30 execution in Tennessee
-
Queens residents seek renewed enforcement along Roosevelt Avenue
-
Utah hosts Arkansas as both programs begin seasons under new coaches
-
Marmot research gains over $140,000 from meme-coin fees alongside wildlife contest
-
Maryland groups seek statewide data center pause after local moratoriums spread
-
Roadless Rule repeal proposal raises concerns over Midwest forests and fire risk
-
Winston County trash-debt prosecutions face challenge from civil-rights lawyers
-
KFF journalists discuss opioid funds, suicide prevention and gaps in care
-
Fifth Circuit upholds dismissal of Jackson residents' constitutional water claims
-
Steven Strogatz weighs AI mathematics advances and their consequences for researchers
-
Anthropic details Claude misuse as US targets major illicit online marketplace
-
GTA VI draws political criticism online as preorder estimates exceed five million
-
Japanese floating parking platform is designed to lift cars above floodwater
-
Mini 1998 GT pairs 161-hp engine with John Cooper Works chassis hardware
-
Arteta blasts 'unacceptable' Sunderland penalty despite Arsenal win
-
Attissogbe double inspires Pau to Top 14 summit
-
Mbappe at the double as Real Madrid sink Rayo
-
Guimaraes strike lights up Arsenal win over Sunderland
-
Arsenal extend perfect Premier League start as Chelsea, Liverpool held
-
Israeli-made Gaza documentary wins Venice special jury prize
-
US survive Spain scare to book World Cup final clash with France
-
De Zerbi apologises to fans after Spurs' stalemate extends goal drought
-
Celine Dion makes long-awaited return to stage in Paris
-
Lowry takes four-shot lead as Trump jets in for Irish Open
-
Werro crowned Ultimate queen, US sweep 100m races
-
Harrison, Skupski win US Open men's doubles title
-
Venezuelans outside Caracas say capital not sharing blackout burden
-
Verstappen fears overtaking will be 'tough' at Spanish GP
-
Danish WWII drama wins top prize at Venice festival
-
Argentina revives plan for South Atlantic naval base amid Falklands tensions
-
Chelsea boss Alonso yearns for 'boring game' after Hull make their point
-
Yemen government forces say hit Houthis in Red Sea city
Japan ready for Chile to bring the heat in simmering Toulouse
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph went for experience on Friday as he named nine survivors from the last World Cup in his starting XV to face Chile in Toulouse.
Only one member of the staring lineup, 24-year-old flanker Kanji Shimokawa, is under 26 and seven are over 30.
"We'll be looking to go out and start well," Joseph said on the Japanese rugby federation's web site.
"Chile are new to the World Cup but this will be their World Cup final, a game they've targeted with their players all available and motivated to have a very good performance and put us under pressure.
"They will look to put the pressure on in the first 20 minutes. So we'll be focusing on ensuring that doesn't happen."
Flanker Michael Leitch will appear in his first World Cup and prop Keita Inagaki will play his 50th international.
The game kicks off in the early afternoon in Toulouse when temperatures are forecast to be in the mid 30s Celsius.
"It's going to be hot, but the last six or seven games we've played have been similar and our boys are used to the heat." said Joseph, before adding that hot weather is a particular challenge for Japan.
"With the heat you get a slippery ball and the way we play, with the amount of passes we execute, nearly double the amount of other teams, it puts a lot of pressure on our skillset."
The backs are led by winger Kotaro Matsushima, who scored five tries in the last World Cup starts, on the wing.
Lock Jack Cornelsen will be appearing in his first World Cup game. His father Greg, a back-row-forward, played 25 tests for Australia between 1974 and 1982, including one test against Japan in 1975.
Japan team to play Chile in Rugby World Cup Pool D match in Bordeaux on Sunday (kick-off: 1100GMT):
Team (15-1):
Semisi Masirewa; Kotaro Matsushima, Dylan Riley, Ryoto Nakamura, Jone Naikabula; Rikiya Matsuda, Yutaka Nagare; Kazuki Himeno (capt), Kanji Shimokawa, Michael Leitch; Amato Fakatava; Jack Cornelsen, Jiwon Gu, Atsushi Sakate, Keita Inagaki
Replacements: Shota Horie, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu, Warner Dearns, Shota Fukui, Naoto Saito, Tomoki Osada, Lomano Lemeki
Coach: Jamie Joseph (NZL)
S.Caetano--PC
