Eddie Jones, the seasoned coach with a history of molding top-tier rugby teams, has called upon his fellow Australians to rally behind Japan as they prepare to face Ireland in the upcoming Nations Championship. This pioneering tournament, set to unfold in Newcastle on July 11, promises to be a crucial platform for Japan as they aim to revitalize their international stature ahead of the World Cup in 2027.
Speaking from the precincts of the stadium in Newcastle, Jones shared his vision of making the city a stronghold of support for the Japanese team. "It’s a great experience for us to play here, get used to the environment, maybe become the team in Newcastle," he remarked. Emphasizing the strategic importance of local support, Jones added, "When we play up here in the World Cup, we want all the Newcastle people to support Japan."
With Japan's last match being a victory over Georgia in late 2025, and a series of defeats prior to that, Jones is keen on building a connection with the local crowd, which he believes could play a pivotal role during their World Cup campaign, especially in their opening match against Samoa. "We’ll be up here for a week for the Samoa game. So it’s how you can maximise your preparation for that week," Jones explained.
"It’s really important because we’ll have a relatively young team for the World Cup. And you talk to players about their experience of a World Cup, particularly young players, and they can’t remember anything, right, because it becomes a blur? So, having had the experience of playing in this ground, just that little bit of familiarity will definitely be a potential advantage."
In his discourse, Jones did not miss the chance to laud Ireland, Japan's formidable opponent. "Ireland’s a great example of what you can do with a small population. Five million people have become a top-four team in the world by really maximising the talent they’ve got," he observed. This acknowledgment serves as both a commendation for Ireland and a motivational beacon for his team.
The advent of the Nations Championship is seen by many, including Jones, as a significant step forward for the sport. "I think it’s a good innovation by World Rugby," he stated, reflecting a sentiment of broad approval for the tournament's format which pits northern hemisphere teams against their southern counterparts.
As the rugby world looks towards Newcastle this July, the anticipation builds not just for a series of compelling matches, but for a celebration of international rugby's evolving landscape, marked by strategic innovations and the fostering of global camaraderie.
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Eddie Jones, the seasoned coach with a history of molding top-tier rugby teams, has called upon his fellow Australians to rally behind Japan as they prepare to face Ireland in the upcoming Nations Championship. This pioneering tournament, set to unfold in Newcastle on July 11, promises to be a crucial platform for Japan as they aim to revitalize their international stature ahead of the World Cup in 2027.
Speaking from the precincts of the stadium in Newcastle, Jones shared his vision of making the city a stronghold of support for the Japanese team. "It’s a great experience for us to play here, get used to the environment, maybe become the team in Newcastle," he remarked. Emphasizing the strategic importance of local support, Jones added, "When we play up here in the World Cup, we want all the Newcastle people to support Japan."
With Japan's last match being a victory over Georgia in late 2025, and a series of defeats prior to that, Jones is keen on building a connection with the local crowd, which he believes could play a pivotal role during their World Cup campaign, especially in their opening match against Samoa. "We’ll be up here for a week for the Samoa game. So it’s how you can maximise your preparation for that week," Jones explained.
"It’s really important because we’ll have a relatively young team for the World Cup. And you talk to players about their experience of a World Cup, particularly young players, and they can’t remember anything, right, because it becomes a blur? So, having had the experience of playing in this ground, just that little bit of familiarity will definitely be a potential advantage."
In his discourse, Jones did not miss the chance to laud Ireland, Japan's formidable opponent. "Ireland’s a great example of what you can do with a small population. Five million people have become a top-four team in the world by really maximising the talent they’ve got," he observed. This acknowledgment serves as both a commendation for Ireland and a motivational beacon for his team.
The advent of the Nations Championship is seen by many, including Jones, as a significant step forward for the sport. "I think it’s a good innovation by World Rugby," he stated, reflecting a sentiment of broad approval for the tournament's format which pits northern hemisphere teams against their southern counterparts.
As the rugby world looks towards Newcastle this July, the anticipation builds not just for a series of compelling matches, but for a celebration of international rugby's evolving landscape, marked by strategic innovations and the fostering of global camaraderie.