Oct 24, V7N- Japan head coach Eddie Jones has named Yoshitaka Yazaki, a promising 20-year-old fullback, in the starting lineup for Japan's upcoming match against the All Blacks at Yokohama’s International Stadium. Yazaki, considered one of Japan's brightest young talents, returns to the team after missing the latter stages of the Pacific Nations Cup. This fixture marks an exciting opportunity for the Brave Blossoms as they take on New Zealand, a team they have yet to defeat in five previous attempts.

Jones has made five changes to the starting XV that lost 41-17 to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup final, including the return of Jone Naikabula, a powerful winger, and the experienced Kazuki Himeno, who will slot in at openside flanker. The front row has also been revamped with Takato Okabe and Atsushi Sakate starting, while Sanaila Waqa replaces Epeneri Uluiviti in the second row.

The match could also see the debut of two uncapped players: Opeti Helu, a prop, and flyhalf Takuro Matsunaga, who have both been named on the bench. Captain Harumichi Tatekawa will steer the team from flyhalf, while Dylan Riley and Nicholas McCurran continue their center partnership.

With a physical All Blacks side expected, Jones has opted for a 5-3 split on the bench favoring the forwards, anticipating a tough contest. Japan’s best result against New Zealand came in a narrow 38-31 loss in 2022, and they'll be aiming to build on that performance.

Here’s Japan’s full team for the match:

Starting XV:

  • 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki
  • 14 Jone Naikabula
  • 13 Dylan Riley
  • 12 Nicholas McCurran
  • 11 Malo Tuitama
  • 10 Harumichi Tatekawa (captain)
  • 9 Shinobu Fujiwara
  • 8 Faulua Makisi
  • 7 Kazuki Himeno
  • 6 Amato Fakatava
  • 5 Warner Dearns
  • 4 Sanaila Waqa
  • 3 Shuhei Takeuchi
  • 2 Atsushi Sakate
  • 1 Takato Okabe

Replacements:

  • 16 Mamoru Harada
  • 17 Takayoshi Mohara
  • 18 Opeti Helu
  • 19 Epeneri Uluiviti
  • 20 Kanji Shimokawa
  • 21 Taiki Koyama
  • 22 Tomoki Osada
  • 23 Takuro Matsunaga

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