By Rich Freeman,
Do-or-die, winner takes all, battle to the death. Just about every cliche possible has been used in the build-up to Sunday's Rugby World Cup game between Japan and Argentina.
On Saturday, the Brave Blossoms seemed calm and relaxed interacting with young children from a local rugby club in Saint-Herblain before they held their final training run of the pool stage at Stade du Vigneau.
And they will be hoping for the same calm heads on Sunday at Stade de la Beaujoire as they search for the win that will ensure they reach the quarterfinals for the second straight tournament.
"The approach this week has been around being calm and clear in what we do," Japan defense coach John Mitchell said at the eve-of-match media briefing.
"The focus has been on getting the right performance and we believe that is the best way to go."
And that means "not resting on our laurels" following the win over Samoa, said Michael Leitch, who celebrated his 35th birthday Saturday.
Argentina will look to bully Japan and impose their physicality on the Brave Blossoms, and Leitch said the players were aware that against both Samoa and England, the team had faded in the final 20 minutes.
That had allowed the Pacific islanders to almost snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat, while England racked up some points to ensure the winning margin was not a true reflection of the game.
"In the last 20 minutes when the tiredness sets in, we need to keep control of the ball and the game," Leitch said.
Despite the coaches trying to avoid cliches, there have been a number of references to samurai during the tournament, particularly in the build-up to the final game of Pool D.
This week prop Keita Inagaki talked about "dropping the katana (sword in Japanese) on the opposition."
"I used that reference in our defense meeting," he said. "For the Japanese, a long time ago, it was a tough thing for a samurai to draw a sword, because it meant that it's either you or him will die, just two choices. I think where the team is now is really similar."
"We need to win to proceed to the next stage, and it has not been just a year but for years we've been sharpening our katana. We've been working on the skills to drop this sword, so now we've just got to do it."
Meanwhile, back-up hooker Atsushi Sakate talked about the phrase "samurai time."
"We've been using 'samurai time' to remind us about our bond, courage and goal," he said.
"We don't want it to be just a word, we're focused on taking it into action. It's a word we use to overcome tough periods, and we are at a point where everyone's reaction is automatic the moment we say it."
For the winner, a flight to Marseilles awaits and a game, most likely against Wales, for a place in the semifinals. For the loser, the flight home will be significantly longer.
Related coverage:
Rugby: Japan's "Silent Assassin" Cornelsen sets his sights on Pumas
Rugby: Fifita in to face Pumas as Japan make just 1 change
Rugby: Brave Blossoms' "One Team" concept alive and well in France
