Lots has been written on the poor performances of Scotland and the success of the Brave Blossoms, who have invigorated the tournament. The lease of life given by the brave blossoms applies not only to the successes of the home world cup but the future of modern rugby. Diverging from traditional rugby patterns and putting an efficiency, skill and fluidity upon the game. The hard work on and off the ball has been key to their success.
In the game against Scotland they continued this trend, working for over 10 phases trying to isolate the defenders through quick ball. This is no better shown than with their use of the traditional pod system. The deliberate targeting of the centre man allows Japan quick clearance. The use of two of these pods in the centre allows them to quickly choose where they want to stress the scottish defence.
In the clip above stretches Scotland the same way forcing them to a far touchline immediately off a set pice. The use of 2 pods, first Leitch on the previous phase, and now this phase drags scotland into 2 focus points. The second pods action and ability to create this focus point drags in the Scottish.
However, once Japan carry back into the centre Scotland overfold while Japan attack back to the blindside. Horie runs a sharp angle holding Harris enabling Japan to play behind him and create a partial 3 on 2, which they can finish and Matsushima canters away after Fukuoka’s offload.
There was of course more than a simple 1-3-3-1 formation behind Japan’s attack. However the basic building blocks were constant in everything they did. The structure a pertinent part of the plays Japan made.
The above carry from Leitch sets Japan up. He carries out wide, using his pace to find the edge of a Scotland defence who are forced to drift and unable to shut down the Japanese attack.
Then Japan work it in field, however the pass goes to an isolated man. Scotland are able to slow it up. They make a crucial tackle drawing in an initial clearer. While not damaging it does show the effectiveness of Scotland in this instance.
About a minute later however Japan enact strand 2 of their brand of rugby. The high skilled game attacks right through the guts of Scotland. The ability of Tamura to keep changing his line and expose Scottish cover and offload showing a certain familiarity.
Ironically this style of play is an emulation of Scotland. The fast brand of rugby championed by Townsend searching for the quickest ruck time in world rugby played a key role in denying Scotland a Quarter Final place. But while the Japan try comes from constant pressure Scotland are far more comfortable attacking from transition.
Scotland’s third try started from a kickoff return. The shackles have been taken off they target Japan in the 15m channel and then arc in field.Thi takes them to the 22. The attack then continues to drive for the Japan try line. Scotland do aim to revert to their strengths the flowing wide open attacks. The sort that brought out them roaring back at Twickenham. However, the Japanese defence shuts down their options.
As you can see in both of the above clips, Scotland are trying to get the ball into the hands of their ‘biggest’ threats. They seem to have become bogged in a reliance on their biggest players, Hogg and Russel trying to run through the Japanese and play to an edge, brought tighter due to the pressure by Japan.
However, after these failed probes, the Scots eventually break the Japanese. Cohesion allowing their forwards to play close to the line break through and scoring. Gray combining with relatively new cap, Blade Thomson, to put Zander Fagerson over.
The Scottish team looked rusty and disjointed at the beginning. They lacked the speed and opportunism that has helped them prosper. This is no doubt due to aggressive Japanese defence but also a slow delivery. While no doubt faster than normal Horne made an immediate difference and helped to bring Scotland back. Japan on the other looked prepared their energetic pod system delivering ball quickly for outside backs to really stretch Scotland. Whilst some of their tries were opportunistic their control and ability to play multiple phases to score marks the rapid improvements they have made since 2015 and miracle in brighton, to the ‘’confirmation’’ campaign of 2019.
The Analysis Guy 