Without shining, the XV de la Rose defeated Japan on Sunday in Nice, during the 2nd day of Pool D (34-12).
Author of one of the greatest exploits in the history of the World Cup in 2015, with an unforgettable victory against South Africa, Japan will not immediately add another big name to its hunting list . However, the opportunity was good against this more than capable England, Sunday September 17. But, victims of their own shortcomings, the Japanese lost to the XV de la Rose (34-12) in Nice, crumbling in the second period.
Between the English rose and the Japanese cherry tree, the most optimistic could perhaps hope for a garden like Le Nôtre. But the battle moved closer to the potato field. Between two teams in need of certainty, whose main concern was to get rid of a ball which, in their hands, looked like an unpinned grenade, perhaps we should not hope for more.
The XV de la Rose had shown some promise against the Argentinian Pumas with threadbare claws for their entry into the running but the problem is still deep. Identical diagnosis for the Brave Blossoms, whose quarter-final during the last edition in 2019 seems almost anachronistic today as Japan has floundered in recent years.
From then on, the two convalescents limply telescoped, avoiding any daring movement to concentrate exclusively on occupying the opposing field. In this area, England nevertheless retains some good remainders (61% possession) and it is on these remainders that it was able to take the slight lead before the break thanks to a poorly negotiated touch by the Japanese and perfectly exploited by Ludlam (23rd) (13-9).
A cap test as a turning point in the match
Even if the gross blunders continued in the second half, the English still had the merit of protecting themselves from the infamy hanging over their noses. First with a cap try from Courtney Lawes, despite a ball which had ricocheted off a teammates arm and head just before (56th). The capricious rebounds had chosen their side. The Brave Blossoms did not recover and Freddie Steward scored a 3rd try, much more conventional (27-12, 66th).
At the cost of a much more encouraging finish than the start, the 2003 world champions even managed to score a fourth banner synonymous with an offensive bonus thanks to Joe Marchant (34-12, 80+1). Almost trompe l’oeil. But appearances do not matter for this England, which continues its slow recovery. With two successes in as many matches in Group D, Steve Borthwick’s men have so far fulfilled their contract.