Japan coach John Kirwan has retained the services of just five players that started the impressive performance against France for their second match against New Zealand.
The Japanese trailed their illustrious opponents by just four points with 10 minutes to go, before losing 47-21 to Les Bleus in Auckland, and with one eye on their game against Tonga, Kirwan said he wanted to give his entire squad of 30 some game time.
The former All Black believes his side cannot afford to take their eye off their goal of being the most improved team in the world.
“To do that we needed to be competitive against France, we did that, we need to be competitive again on Friday night and play a great style of rugby and then we need to finish by having a win against Tonga and a win against Canada,” he said.
“We have a one-team motto, we live by that and I want them all to compete against each other. When I pick the team to play Tonga it will be based on the first two performances.”
Of the team that faced France, only captain Takashi Kikutani, who moves to the backrow, flanker Michael Leitch, lock Toshizumi Kitagawa, outside centre Koji Taira and wing Hirotoki Onozawa keep their places.
On piece of good news for Kirwan’s side is that they will not have to face the world’s highest points scorer Dan Carter, though, after the All Blacks fly-half was ruled out.
Carter had originally been picked to earn his 85th cap for New Zealand, but the coaching staff decided not to risk him as he recovers from a back injury. The 29-year-old has been replaced in the team by Colin Slade, with Jimmy Cowan stepping up to the bench and Piri Weepu acting as cover at fly-half.
All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said: “Carter pulled up sore at an indoor training session this morning so we have made the decision not to risk him.”
