The Japanese national rugby team will play four consecutive matches against South Africa, Ireland, Wales, and Georgia starting from November 2nd. WOWOW will broadcast and stream these four matches as well as the Quilter Nations Series, which will see the powerhouses from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together. We spoke to Michael Leitch about his enthusiasm ahead of the four consecutive matches for the Japanese national team.
--Your first match of the European tour on November 2nd will be against South Africa, ranked number one in the world. Ten years have passed since your victory at the 2015 World Cup, and this will be your fourth time playing against them as a member of the Japanese national team.
I'm really excited. I think the match 10 years ago was a testament to how much the Japanese national team has grown in England (where the 2015 World Cup was held). Now, as we aim for a new style of "ultra-fast rugby," I'm really looking forward to seeing whether it will work against the strongest opponents.
-What is the biggest change in the Japanese national team compared to 10 years ago?
The size and speed of our players have changed. Japan's policy of winning through speed will remain unchanged, so I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can about how well that will work against the physically strongest opponents. Of course, our main goal is not to "gain experience" but to "win," so I'm looking forward to it.
-How exactly do you want to play against South Africa?
Speed and defense are the keys. Handling high balls and set pieces are also important. That's the same against any opponent, but South Africa in particular is a team with an incredible number of weapons, so I think we need to improve in those areas.
-What kind of image do you have of South Africa today?
With the addition of Tony Brown (former attack coach for the Japanese national team, current attack coach for the South African national team), the team's attacks from lineouts have become very good. They are now playing an interesting style of rugby, not just charging up the line like the South Africans did in the past, but also swinging the ball sideways.
--If there are any players you are wary of, please let us know.
It's difficult to pick just one player, but fly-half Manny Rebock (number 10) is fantastic. The forwards, including lock Eben Etzebeth, are also big, and the team is full of great players overall. Everyone is a world-class player.
--The following week, on November 8th, you will play against Ireland in the second week of the Quilter Nations Series.
We'll be playing in Dublin (away ground), so we'll be playing as if we're away. I haven't seen many Ireland games, but their forwards are strong, and their set pieces are also powerful. I think the keys to our victory will be our defense, our positioning, and our speed.
Ireland finished third in this year's Six Nations. Where do you think they have a chance to win?
No matter who the opponent is, we have a chance because we can win in some areas. It doesn't matter how well the opponent is doing, we just have to play our own rugby.
-Are there any players in Ireland that interest you?
I have the impression that the members have changed. I haven't been able to check out the Six Nations yet, but I subscribed to WOWOW because I wanted to watch the Bledisloe Cup (a traditional regular match between New Zealand and Australia, which in recent years has been held in conjunction with The Rugby Championship) (laughs).
-- (laughs) Be sure to check out past matches on WOWOW. And on November 16th, you'll be playing against Wales for the third time this year. This will be the match to settle the score after the one-win-one-loss record from July.
We are still disappointed after losing the second match in Kobe, so this will be a rematch. I think it will be a chance to show the strength of the Japanese national team at a packed Millennium Stadium (now Principality Stadium).
-Are there any players in Wales that catch your eye?
I was particularly impressed by the fast wingers (Tom Rogers and Josh Adams) who scored tries (in the July match).
--Please also tell us your impressions of Georgia, your opponent in the final match of the tour on November 22nd.
Georgia is very strong in the scrum, maul and physicality, and they have the ability to compete with the world's top teams. We will be playing Georgia away from home, and in the previous matches against Japan under head coach Eddie Jones and Japan under head coach Jamie Joseph, I felt fatigue and mental difficulties at the end of the game, but this time I am confident we can return home with a win. I want to go for the win.
--How do you feel about continuing to face strong countries like this?
That's important. These four consecutive games are very meaningful because it gives all the staff and players as a team the opportunity to experience firsthand how difficult it is to win at the highest standard of the best.
--I'm sure there are many fans who will be watching with anticipation on WOWOW.
Compared to last year's autumn tour, I think this tour will be exciting to watch. We are gradually seeing the emergence of "ultra-fast rugby," so I think we have a chance to show the kind of rugby we want to play.
*...The rugby programs that WOWOW will broadcast and stream in the future are as follows:
<Four consecutive weeks of Japan national team matches! WOWOW Rugby Special> "South Africa vs Japan" = 12:45 AM on November 2nd (WOWOW Live, WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "Ireland vs Japan" = 9 PM on the 8th (WOWOW Live, WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "Wales vs Japan" = 2:15 AM on the 16th (WOWOW Prime, WOWOW On Demand) ▽ "Georgia vs Japan" = 8:45 PM on the 22nd (WOWOW On Demand, *live streaming only).
<Rugby Test Match 2025 Quilter Nations Series> 20 matches will be streamed live from November 1st to 29th, with 10 notable matches being broadcast.
EDDY TIMES 2025 Vol. 06 (Special Edition) Exclusive Interview with Michael Leitch (tentative title) is scheduled to be released on October 25th on WOWOW's official YouTube channel and WOWOW On Demand. This special talk show will explore both Michael Leitch as a rugby player and as a person. Masataro Onishi (former Japan national rugby team member and WOWOW rugby commentator) and Kenjiro Toyohara (former NHK announcer and Caster) are also scheduled to appear.
<Special episode just before the live broadcast of Japan's fateful match against South Africa> "Rugby Test Match 2024 Autumn Nations Series France vs Japan" = 4:45 pm on November 1st (WOWOW Live) ▽ "Rugby Test Match 2024 Autumn Nations Series England vs Japan" = 7 pm on the same day (WOWOW Live) ▽ "Just before the live broadcast of the South Africa match! Relive the excitement of 10 years ago Rugby World Cup™ 2015 South Africa vs Japan" = 9:20 pm on the same day (WOWOW Live).
