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Kirwan tells his men to keep the faith

Written by Ramaz Mitaishvili
Monday, 03 September 2007
Japan head coach John Kirwan's (NZL) key message to his team on the eve of the IRB Rugby World Cup is to maintain their self-belief. Japan opens its campaign against Australia, then faces a tight turnaround against Fiji four days later in what looms as a crucial match to decide who proceeds to the quarter-finals from Pool B. "If they can believe in themselves and believe in the style of game that we play, then we will be successful," Kirwan said at a media conference in Toulouse on Sunday. "As a nation we like to use the ball, we like to play a 15-man game and try and keep the ball alive as much as possible, and also play a fast and quick game, especially at the breakdown." The former New Zealand wing sees similarities between Japan's style of play and that of the host nation. "The French are famous for keeping the ball alive and using all 15 players, so I think the French people will understand that we are trying to play a game similar to the way that they play." Japan's first match is against Australia on Saturday at the Gerland Stadium in Lyon. !