Japan Vs Samoa: Japan reveals new kit for Rugby World Cup 2023

Posted by World Wide Tickets And Hospitality on July 12th, 2023

Japan's state rugby team has shown its new kit for the Rugby World Cup that kicks off in France in September. Five players sporting the new sport shirt took part in an event on Friday. The jerseys are made in part with fibres recycled from more than 1,200 sportswear items contributed by rugby fans across Japan. The aim was to bring the players and supporters together as "One Team."

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That was the slogan used at the previous RWC in 2019. Japan held that event. The jersey holds the red and white lines from the 2019 model. The "Kabuto" warrior helmet served as the design idea for the angled lines that signify the samurai Bushido spirit. The apparel maker that advanced the jersey says it obtained the physical data of nearly 100 top players to produce a well-fitting shirt that is hard for rivals to grab.

It is said that the jersey dries faster and is more breathable than the previous perfect. The national team is due to introduce the new uniform during a game with New Zealand's second team. The event is arranged to be held on July 15 in Kumamoto, western Japan. At the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Japan scored a sequence of upset victories over powerhouses Ireland and Scotland. The team progressed to the final eight for the first time in Japan's rugby past.

The extraordinary Samoa XV set to light up the France Rugby World Cup 2023

Samoa Rugby World Cup head coach Seilala Mapusua announced his training team to begin planning for the world cup with several high-profile players involved. Like Tonga, Samoa has made the most of the change in rugby’s suitability laws to select players who have reliable links to the Pacific Island nation, having before played for the New Zealand or Australia rugby teams.

This has caused call-ups for former All Blacks Steven Luatua, Charlie Faumuina and Lima Sopoaga, and former Wallabies pivot Christian Leali’ifano. Mapusua also sprung amazement with the selection of former USA prop Titi Lamositele, who signified the Eagles at RWC 2019 in Japan. Samoa is set to face Chile, Argentina, Japan and England in 2023 Pool D and could produce a shock result judging on the quality of players in their group.

RWC: Ex-Super Rugby lead players

Mapusua’s 40-man RWC 2023 training team consists of just 15 backs, accenting the versatility he has at his disposal and that starts with ex-All Blacks’ pivot Sopoaga. While he played almost solely at flyhalf for the Highlanders and All Blacks during his time in New Zealand, Sopoaga has regularly featured at fullback for Wasps and Lyon and could turn out in the same role for Manu Samoa, where he can merge with the starting flyhalf.

Danny Toala was the go-to starter for Mapusua in the place last year and will rival Sopoaga for the part, but he could also turn out on the wing or in the middle for the side. Tim Nanai-Williams, an extremely versatile player for Samoa, Nanai-Williams could feature in any backline role outside of scrumhalf. Rugby fans can book Japan Rugby World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

There will be question marks whether the 34-year-old still has the hope to play out on the wing at France Rugby World Cup 2023, but his overall skill set is irrefutable. We already stated that Toala could fill the wing role, as could Neria Foma’i and Melani Matavao.

Top Rugby World Cup superstars in the centres

The La Rochelle man has grown a few new fans this season through his acts for Ronan O’Gara’s side, but he has been a steady for Samoa for some time now. He is set to feature in his second RWC this year, and with the additions of flyhalves Sopoaga and Leali’ifano in the team, he can return to his more ideal centre role for the Pacific Islanders an incredible talent and a player to keep an eye on this year World Cup.

Duncan Paia’aua, joining Seuteni in the centres is Toulon star Paia’aiua; the 28-year-old was on the borders of Wallabies’ squads for a long time but eventually made his debut for Manu Samoa last year. He looks like a nailed-on starter but faces inflexible competition from Toala, Stacey Ili, D’Angelo Leuila and the outstanding Tumua Manu.

Nigel Ah Wong, the 33-year-old has been a reliable presence in Mapusua’s squads and starting XVs and is composed to continue to do so. Like with the other backline spots, several players will be vying for the role, and Ah Wong will have a battle to retain the role, with Manu being one of his biggest fears. 

Moana Pasifika halfbacks in Rugby World Cup side

Christian Leali’ifano, the flyhalf role has been an Achilles heel for the Pacific Island sides in the past, but the Samoa Rugby World Cup side has two proven games to pick from in 2023 in Leali’ifano and Sopoaga. Seuteni filled the role with great assurance last year, while Paia’aua can also work in the number 10 jersey. However, we are backing the expert Leali’ifano to steer the ship for the men in blue this year. 

Ereatara Enari, just two scrum-halves are in the RWC team, with Enari linked by Jonathan Taumateine. The pair will battle it out for the initial role, and at the instant, Enari has the edge, having started the November internationals against Georgia and Italy. Both players have linked up with Leali’ifano for Moana Pasifika this Super Rugby Pacific season and are well-rounded players providing a strong selection headache. Rugby fans can book Samoa Rugby World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Selections plenty in the back row for Rugby World Cup

Fritz Lee, things get exciting in the Samoan pack, with several players talented at covering multiple spots and providing some hefty grunt and power. Lee is one of the older players in the pack, but the Clermont veteran still packs a powerhouse thump that Samoa will be keen to tap into. He will face competition for an initial role, notably from the uncapped So’otala Fa’aso’o and Perpignan star Genesis Mamea-Lemalu.

Jordan Taufua, the former Crusaders star player has continued to shine in European contests for Leicester Tigers and now Lyon. The hard-hitting and carrying back-rower was once on the suburbs of the All-Blacks squad, and it’s easy to see why. He was a regular starter for the Samoa rugby team last year, mainly on the side of the scrum, and should remain to be so.

Steven Luatua is a potential leader in the pack for the Samoa Rugby World Cup side as the former All Blacks back-rower looks to make his long-awaited debut for Pacific Islanders. He was called into the squad last year, but injuries denied him a first cap. Premiership fans will know the quality he adds to the side, whether in the second or back row. 

Premiership locks for RWC side

Chris Vui, Luatua’s Bristol Bears co-player adds further pace, power and vitality to an already stacked forward pack. Vui has a wide-ranging skill set that should see him start for the Samoans scorn the pressure from Samuel Slade and Taleni Seu. Theo McFarland, perhaps the best blindside flanker in the Premiership, McFarland looks set to start in the second row for Manu Samoa.

The extremely brilliant forward is one of the most athletic forwards in the game and will be looking to make a splash on rugby’s major stage. McFarland is a megastar in all facets of the game and will be a hugely influential player during France Rugby World Cup 2023.

Front row for RWC 2023

Mike Alaalatoa, the Leinster tighthead will likely skipper the side, as he did last year, but will have more rivalry for his jumper in 2023. Titi Lamositele can play both sides of the crowd but is relaxed in the number jersey, with the same applying to Tietie Tuimauga. Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen is also in the mix after a standout season with Ulster. Meanwhile, Rugby World Cup winner Charlie Faumuina and Stade Francais veteran Paul Alo-Emile are also competing for the role. 

Seilala Lam, there are a few applicants for the starting hooker role, with Lam and Ray Niuia the two standouts. The pair are inflexible old-school hookers making this a close call. Titi Lamositele, as the number of tightheads called in the RWC squad, we predict that former USA and Saracens prop Lamositele will switch sides of the scrum. Lamositele is a hard customer in the set pieces but gets around the park well, too and is a huge loss for the Americans and an even bigger gain for the Samoans. 

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