Eddie Jones is rallying for a sea of Aussie support as he prepares his Japanese squad for a high-stakes confrontation with Ireland in Newcastle. With eyes fixed on the 2027 World Cup, Jones is adamant about turning Newcastle into a fortress for Japan, starting with their Nations Championship clash on July 11.
Jones, a seasoned tactician with stints as coach of both England and the Wallabies, understands the value of local backing. "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 advantage, he added,
"When we play up here in the World Cup, we want all the Newcastle people to support Japan."
The upcoming game against Ireland, currently ranked third in the world, is more than just a preparatory match for Jones and his team. Japan is slated to kick off their World Cup campaign at the same venue 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, highlighting the significance of acclimatization.
Jones also noted the challenges younger players face in high-pressure environments like the World Cup. "Having had the experience of playing in this ground, just that little bit of familiarity will definitely be a potential advantage," he stated. This exposure is crucial for a team that will field a relatively young lineup in their quest for glory.
Pointing to Ireland's success, Jones underscored the potential of smaller rugby nations to stand toe-to-toe with the giants of the game.
"Ireland’s a great example of what you can do with a small population. They’re a good team, tough team, smart team, so we’re looking forward to playing against them,"
he praised.
As the clock ticks down to these pivotal matches, all eyes will be on Newcastle to see if Jones’s strategy of early engagement and local support can indeed tip the scales in Japan’s favor.
2,100 posts
Eddie Jones is rallying for a sea of Aussie support as he prepares his Japanese squad for a high-stakes confrontation with Ireland in Newcastle. With eyes fixed on the 2027 World Cup, Jones is adamant about turning Newcastle into a fortress for Japan, starting with their Nations Championship clash on July 11.
Jones, a seasoned tactician with stints as coach of both England and the Wallabies, understands the value of local backing. "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 advantage, he added,
"When we play up here in the World Cup, we want all the Newcastle people to support Japan."
The upcoming game against Ireland, currently ranked third in the world, is more than just a preparatory match for Jones and his team. Japan is slated to kick off their World Cup campaign at the same venue 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, highlighting the significance of acclimatization.
Jones also noted the challenges younger players face in high-pressure environments like the World Cup. "Having had the experience of playing in this ground, just that little bit of familiarity will definitely be a potential advantage," he stated. This exposure is crucial for a team that will field a relatively young lineup in their quest for glory.
Pointing to Ireland's success, Jones underscored the potential of smaller rugby nations to stand toe-to-toe with the giants of the game.
"Ireland’s a great example of what you can do with a small population. They’re a good team, tough team, smart team, so we’re looking forward to playing against them,"
he praised.As the clock ticks down to these pivotal matches, all eyes will be on Newcastle to see if Jones’s strategy of early engagement and local support can indeed tip the scales in Japan’s favor.