By Rich Freeman,
Two weeks out from their opening game at the Rugby World Cup, Japan produced their own version of the classic spaghetti western "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" on Saturday.
The Brave Blossoms' 42-21 loss to Italy in Treviso means they go into rugby's flagship tournament having won just four out of 18 tests since their heroics four years ago when they reached the quarterfinals on home soil.
Michael Leitch, who very much represented the "Good" at Stadio Comunale di Monigo said recently he thought the 2023 Japan squad was better than the 2019, but there was little evidence of that during the five games played at home during the summer.
And on a sweltering Italian evening, while Leitch was doing all he could to turn around Japan's fortunes by stealing line-outs, making in-roads with ball in hand and forcing turnovers, some of the same, and sadly predictable, problems once again raised their ugly heads.
Hours earlier Saturday, one of Japan's World Cup opponents, England, had been upset by Fiji 30-22 at Twickenham, in a game in which the Pacific islanders' X factor proved to be decisive.
While Japan did score three tries -- Jone Naikabula in the first half from a well-worked move from a line-out, and Kotaro Matsushima and Dylan Riley in the second stanza following patient buildups -- the Brave Blossoms' attack was generally too predictable and easily read by the Italians.
And when the visitors did make in-roads into the Azzurri 22 the chances generally went begging.
One reason for that was the "Ugly" line-outs with Shota Horie, not for the first time, showing that while he is a talented rugby player, his accuracy at the set piece leaves much to be desired.
Even uglier was the goal-kicking. Lee Seung Sin missed two kicks in the first half that an international kicker should be able to put over with eyes closed, while Rikiya Matsuda was also guilty of two misses, albeit more difficult kicks, in the second stanza.
Meanwhile, the "Bad" was represented by Japan's discipline.
When Japan did score, more often than not they allowed Italy straight back into the game through what former England women's captain Sarah Hunter described in commentary as "stupid" penalties -- something they can ill afford at the World Cup against the likes of England, Argentina and Samoa, who lost just 17-13 to Ireland on Saturday.
And yet despite that, Japan were still in the game until two tries in the final four minutes sealed the win for the hosts.
For that, much of the credit must go to Leitch and fellow back-rowers Shota Fukui and Kazuki Himeno, whose defense was outstanding, in marked contrast with some of their teammates.
Japan coach Jamie Joseph summed up much of the above in his post-game interview, saying Japan "beat themselves at times," ruing in particular the lack of consistency in attack, the missed kicks at goals and the soft penalties.
The testy post-match interviews from certain players seemed to indicate all is not well in the changing room, perhaps understandable given the results of late.
Joseph and his fellow coaches have two weeks to fix things or there could be serious "Trouble in Toulouse" when they take on World Cup debutants Chile on Sept. 10.
Related coverage:
Rugby: Japan add 4 forwards to World Cup squad but lose Moore
Rugby: Injuries delay Japan naming full World Cup squad
Rugby: Joseph to return to Highlanders in 2024 as head of rugby
