Jones and Leitch eye history in Japan’s second Test against Wales

Japan head coach Eddie Jones came into the home Lipovitan D Challenge Cup series against Wales under-pressure and in need making a statement of his intent with the Brave Blossoms.

The former Wallabies head coach, who famously walked out on his country after overseeing their first group stage elimination in World Cup history in 2023, endured an underwhelming first season back in Japan last year.

After rumours and denials, by the man himself, Jones, somewhat inevitably, was officially reappointed by the JRFU in December 2023.

Restored to the role he held from 2012 to 2015 before being enticed to take over the England hotseat by the RFU, the former Suntory Sungoliath head coach was buoyant about the future of the Brave Blossoms.

Jones had worked his magic initially with England as he led them to Six Nations titles in 2016, 2017 and 2020 and the 2019 World Cup final in Japan before a run of five wins in 12 games cost him his job in 2022.

His ill-fated return to Australia opened the door to a Japanese homecoming, with his 2015 World Cup heroics against South Africa earning him iconic status in Japan.

Jones’ first campaign back saw Japan suffer heavy defeats to England – home and away – Italy, Fiji and New Zealand.

They also lost in Sendai to Georgia as their four wins came against tier 2 nations Canada, USA, Samoa and Uruguay.

Even in those victories, Japanese fans and media alike bemoaned their toothless defence as they conceded 28 points against Canada, 24 against USA, 27 against Samoa and 20 against Uruguay.

JRFU’s review of the 2024 season saw them admit that results needed to improve going forward amid talk of unrest amongst the squad with some of Jones’ training methods and interactions with players being questioned.

When Japan’s 2025 summer squad was announced, Jones held his hand up and admitted that he didn’t coach well last year.  

Picture courtesy of JRFU

“Coming back to Japan, I didn’t understand how much Japanese rugby has changed, how the players thinking had changed,” said the Australian whose England side finished as runners-up to South Africa in the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama. “Did I coach well last year, no, I don’t think I coached very well last year, a 100 percent.”  

Now, after a stirring second-half comeback win against Wales a week ago, the 2024 season feels like a distant memory.

This is the world of elite sport. Constantly in flux, constantly captivating and puzzling in equal measure, even a modicum of success can transform the direction of a team and, in this case, a country’s fortunes.

A feel-good, morale-boosting win on home soil has done wonders for the perception of the national team and Jones’ controversial return.

The Japan players, who post-match acknowledged that the Wales series is pivotal to the fate of Jones' second tenure in charge, looked refreshed and relaxed having toppled the 2019 World Cup semi-finalists.

After rediscovering the winning feeling, Japan will now aim to make it a habit and to release the shackles in Kobe.

The hosts will strive to push pace in the energy-sapping heat to fully embrace the super-fast brand of rugby that Jones sees as the key to beating top-ranked nations and to reigniting the country's love affair with the game.

Jones’ coaching team continues to take shape with South African Gary Gold tipped to replace former defence coach David Kidwell while the likes of assistant coaches Neal Hatley, Owen Franks and Dan Bowden are now building cohesion with a talented pool of players.  

The celebrations at the full-time whistle in Kitakyushu in the coaching box underscored Jones and his staff's delight as they engineered Japan’s first win over a Tier 1 nation since Jamie Joseph’s side bested Ireland and Scotland at the 2019 World Cup.

The complexion of Japanese rugby has changed, largely based on their second 40 minutes in Fukuoka, and now the hosts feel like the overwhelming favourites coming into the second and final Test.

Wales’ woes are well-documented and their morale is at an all-time low. While upbeat Japan trained the day after their win in Kitakyushu, Wales took two days off to grieve after falling to another painful defeat before making the short trip to Kobe.   

The momentum is firmly with the hosts while Wales continue to freefall in a terminal decline.  

Japan leapfrogged Wales in the world rankings as they moved up to 12^th while the out-of-sorts visitors fell to 14^th.

Japan’s 2027 World Cup ambitions will gather pace if they can complete a series whitewash and achieve a new feat as the country rekindles its fervent rugby fandom.

Veteran coach Jones, 65, and his talismanic captain Michael Leitch, 36, who is battling to make a record-equalling fifth World Cup appearance in 2027, talked up their chances for the second Test with history at stake as the home side are aiming to win two consecutive games against Tier 1 opposition for the first time.

“Japan has never had a record of beating a Tier 1 team back-to-back,” said Jones.

“We have a chance to create history. We know we can play better, we need more intensity and more effort. We want to keep improving and growing as a team.”

Leitch, who captained Toshiba Brave Lupus to back-to-back League One titles in June, exuded confidence when assessing his country’s chances of a repeat victory over interim head coach Matt Sherratt’s much-maligned Welsh side.

“I’m looking forward to beating a Tier 1 team back-to-back,” said the stalwart who played all 20 games for Toshiba last season.

“I just want to get out there."  

Japan’s inspirational leader also outlined where they need to improve on Saturday.

“Looking at our defence, we wasn’t at our best. I want us to express ourselves and our super-fast style of rugby.

“The most important thing is that the team keeps growing. Japan has never won two games in a row against top-tier opposition and we want to achieve that first for Japan.”

Jones, who in his first major decision after returning announced the reappointment of Leitch to the captaincy role a year ago, praised his captain's work ethic and leadership.  

“Leitch has that absolute desire to keep finding the best in himself.

“His desire to get off the ground and make tackles and help his team-mates, that’s who he is, that’s what he’s about. It’s a Richie McCaw type of leadership.”

Expectant Japan will once again believe that the Brave Blossoms are on the brink of more history with their favourite double act of Jones and Leitch at the helm.