ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

CONFIRMED: Japan will not play again in 2020

BY Grant Constable  ·  Monday Sep 14, 2020

Japan’s national rugby union team will not play again this year because of safety fears related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU) said on Monday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Head coach Jamie Joseph said Japan, who had games against England and Wales cancelled earlier this year due to the outbreak, had been due to play against Europe’s top teams in an eight-nation tournament later this year.

Japan have not played a Test match since their quarter-final loss to eventual champions South Africa at last year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.

“We have concluded there will be no Test matches this year,” JRFU Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi told a media briefing on Monday.

“As a staff we are thinking proactively how to use the momentum of our achievement at the World Cup to move forward.”

Since signing a new contract following Japan’s stunning World Cup run, Joseph has stressed the importance of having Test matches against Tier One nations.

“We were allocated test matches to play in the eight nations. That would have been a wonderful tournament to be a part of, not only this year but for the future,” said Joseph.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It would give our players the much needed experience they need to develop their game and test it … against some of the best teams in the world.”

Japan’s Top League domestic competition was cancelled earlier this year because of the pandemic, meaning most Japanese players have barely played competitive rugby in the past year.

Joseph added that the team’s inability to train extensively was another reason to cancel their remaining Tests.

“The right decision has been made. We still have plenty of time to prepare ourselves for the next World Cup,” said Joseph.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I hope the situation gets better in Japan and we can start looking forward to next season.”

RELATED VIEWING:

Related Articles

  • 52 WEEKS AGO

    Bristol Bears break 20-year record with victory...

  • 52 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks star Jordie Barrett discusses...

  • 52 WEEKS AGO

    Gloucester's next 'Rees-Zammit' scores incredible...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The Gallagher Premiership is back - A thrilling match at Tottenham

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 27 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 27 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 142 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All