Close Menu
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Blues
    • Chiefs
    • Crusaders
    • Fijian Drua
    • Highlanders
    • Hurricanes
    • Moana Pasifika
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Six Nations
  • Women’s
  • Sevens
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

May 23, 2025

Friday’s Rugby News.

May 23, 2025

Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end

May 22, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
Latest News
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #70: Can Super Rugby get any better?
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Talking Teams Pod Round 14
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end
  • Collab Special – Talking Teams x The Dropped Kick-Off – discussing the Lions with The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #69: great rugby, big injuries, spectacular results.
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Lions squad named tonight.
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the final countdown
  • Yowie on the Loose: almost too much rugby news
  • Dementia and CTE: differences, similarities and impact
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #68: that was certainly unpredictable.
Green & Gold Rugby
0 Shopping Cart
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies

    Tuesday’s Rugby News

    February 25, 2025

    G&GR readers hate Australians?

    February 23, 2025

    Schmidt extends Wallabies tenure through TRC as search for head coach successor begins

    February 6, 2025

    Tickets on sale for blockbuster Wallaroos and Wallabies home Tests

    February 5, 2025

    Tuesday’s Rugby News, 4 February 2025

    February 4, 2025
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Blues
    3. Chiefs
    4. Crusaders
    5. Fijian Drua
    6. Highlanders
    7. Hurricanes
    8. Moana Pasifika
    9. NSW Waratahs
    10. Queensland Reds
    11. Western Force
    12. View All

    Brumbies lob first grenade.

    March 19, 2025

    Hoodoo Gurus: Brumbies beat Blues.

    March 8, 2025

    Super Rugby Women’s Team List: Trial Match v Queensland Reds

    February 5, 2025

    Brumbies and Raiders combine for ANZAC weekend fixtures

    February 4, 2025

    Sotutu Returns to Boost Blues for Highlanders Clash

    February 19, 2025

    MG Motor Joins Blues as Official Vehicle Partner

    February 13, 2025

    Tu’ungafasi Celebrates 150th Cap as Blues Unleash Star-Studded Line-Up at Eden Park Opener

    February 12, 2025

    Blues Team Up with Gerard Roofs for a Strong 2025 Season Partnership

    February 11, 2025

    Chiefs Prepare for Crusaders Clash: Brown’s Debut and Tupaea’s Milestone

    February 19, 2025

    Chiefs’ All Blacks Set for Pre-Season Action Against Moana Pasifika

    February 6, 2025

    Chiefs Unveil New Talent Ahead of Taranaki Pre-Season Clash

    January 30, 2025

    Chiefs’ Rising Star Wallace Sititi Sidelined After Knee Surgery

    January 25, 2025

    Crusaders Ready to Kick Off Pre-Season with Blues Battle in Kirwee

    January 30, 2025

    Crusaders Partner with Moa Brewing Company to Elevate Fan Experience

    January 23, 2025

    Jamie Hannah Commits to Crusaders Until 2028

    January 23, 2025

    Crusaders 2025 Tickets Now Available!

    January 23, 2025

    Fijian Drua to Host Rugby FCLA in Historic Fiji Showdown

    January 20, 2025

    Highlanders Set for Home Opener Against Blues

    February 19, 2025

    Waratahs edge Highlanders in thrilling season opener

    February 16, 2025

    Highlanders Announce Squad for Season Opener Against Waratahs

    February 12, 2025

    Highlanders Gear Up for Waitangi Day Showdown Against Crusaders

    February 4, 2025

    Xavier Numia Commits to Hurricanes Through 2027

    January 29, 2025

    Hurricanes Brew Up Partnership with Flight Coffee for 2025 Season

    January 28, 2025

    Hurricanes Poua Swap Rugby Boots for Riding Boots at Hutt Valley RDA

    January 16, 2025

    Match Review: Qld Reds v Moana Pacifika — Rd2 2025

    February 21, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 3, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 2, 2025

    Moana Pasifika Set to Face Highlanders in Pre-Season Opener

    January 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Tahs best Brumbies.

    March 22, 2025

    Isaac Kailea re-signs with RA.

    March 21, 2025

    U18s & U20s Tahs sides named.

    March 14, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    Reds break drought.

    March 22, 2025

    Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh: Its the vibe.

    March 22, 2025

    Caslick to start in Reds #100th.

    March 19, 2025

    Force out-Brumby the Brumbies 45-42.

    February 22, 2025

    Jeremy Williams Re-Signs with Western Force for Two More Years

    February 6, 2025

    Club captain Jeremy Williams re-commits to Western Force with new deal

    February 6, 2025

    Western Force Unveils Star-Studded Squad for Brumbies Pre-Season Clash

    February 5, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

    March 24, 2025

    Live: SRP ladder

    March 22, 2025
  • Six Nations

    Six Nations round 4

    March 8, 2025

    Tree Irish legends call time

    February 28, 2025

    Frogs flog Italy.

    February 24, 2025

    Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

    February 23, 2025

    Poms pinch it.

    February 23, 2025
  • Women’s

    More in store for Qld women’s comp.

    March 21, 2025

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – progress mixed in with some injustice

    November 21, 2024

    Yowie on the Loose: How long until test rugby restarts?

    October 15, 2024

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #50: limited rugby, but plenty of news

    October 14, 2024
  • Sevens

    G&GR team’s podcast, Ireland and done

    December 2, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – US edition marketing the game, Perry Baker, Super Rugby my new dawn.

    October 17, 2024

    Sevens Olympic Heaven!

    July 18, 2024

    Thursday’s Rugby News

    July 4, 2024
  • Podcast

    The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

    May 23, 2025

    Collab Special – Talking Teams x The Dropped Kick-Off – discussing the Lions with The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast

    May 14, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 153 – Schmeal – Les Kiss from a Rose

    April 30, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 151 – did we mention we like the Tahs?

    April 18, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 150 – Angry Italian Hand Gestures 🤌 🤌

    April 10, 2025
Green & Gold Rugby
Home»Rugby World Cup»Game Review: England V Japan – Pool D – Sunday 17 September
Rugby World Cup

Game Review: England V Japan – Pool D – Sunday 17 September

KeithBy KeithSeptember 18, 20234 Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

This from resident Tasweigan guest writer & long suffering SD fan, Mr Keith Butler, take it away KB:

Well that was an interesting Round 1 but where does it leave our protagonists. The Soap Dodgers rose like a phoenix from the ashes to keep their World Cup hopes alive, defeating the mighty FISMs, in a game for the purists. Japan on the other hand played some entertaining rugby putting one over on the Chileans. What do we expect from the SDs, much the same but hopefully keeping 15 blokes on the field this time. From Japan, forget about the last time they met, this is a whole different ball game. Expect to see a lot of running with fast hands and even faster feet.

The Teams

Jamie Joseph has made 4 changes to the starting team following the round 1 win over Chile with Shoto Horie, Pieter Labuschagne and captain Kazuki Himeno coming into the pack and Tomoki Osada in the backs.

Japan (15-1): Semisi Masirewa; Kotaro Matsushima, Tomoki Osada,  Ryoto Nakamura, Jone Naikabula; Rikiya Matsuda, Yutaka Nagare; Kazuki Himeno (capt), Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch; Amato Fakatava, Jack Cornelsen; Jiwon Gu, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki

Replacements: Atsushi Sakate, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu, Warner Dearns, Kanji Shimokawa, Naoto Saito, Dylan Riley, Lomano Lemeki

As expected Steve Borthwick has stuck pretty much with the team that defeated Argentina. No changes in the backs. Up front Joe Marler starts and Sinckler comes in after recovering from his chest injury. Borthers has resisted the temptation of starting Vunipola so Billy had to make do with a place on the pine.

England (15-1) : Freddie Steward; Johnny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi,Elliott Daly; George Ford, Alex Mitchell;Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje,Ollie Chessum, Courtney Lawes (capt), Ben Earl, Lewis Ludlam.

Replacements: Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence.

The Game

1st Half

Things didn’t start well for Japan. A fumble from their FB following an innocuous kick from Daley leads to an England scrum. Japan then give away a penalty for off side and Ford slots the penalty. 3-0 to the SDs. England quickly get into their kick strategy and it’s not pretty to watch. Japan show a willingness to run the ball and are rewarded with a penalty on the 15 min mark and its 3-3. Japan continue to attack. Quick recycling for Japan and England are offside. The ensuing penalty in successful. 6-3 Japan. England respond, Ford kicks to the corner. Horie makes a mess of the throw which Itoje slaps back. A couple of phases later Ludlam barges over for a try which Ford converts. 10-6 to England. In the 30th minute May clatters Lomeki as he puts in a clearing kick. A penalty is awarded and Matsuda does the necessary from the tee. It’s 10-9 to England. A few phases later a piece of play sums up Englands first half. England win a penalty. From the catch and drive a long, boring rolling maul ensues. Earl tries to pop the ball to Ludlam and misses him with a pass which then bounces off George who wasn’t expecting it and he knocks it on. Quality rugby my backside. Not to be outdone Japan gift the ball to England, Matsuda wanders offside. On the stroke of half time Ford slots the penalty and it’s 13-9 to England. An eminently forgettable first half for England. Japan at least showed some enterprise. England the same old dross.

2nd Half

Both teams start the second half with a bit more intensity and a brief period of exciting play commences. Precision is however lacking from both sides. When England do string some decent phases together they are let down by poor kicking options from Ford. Changes are made on the 50 min mark with Vunipola and Stuart coming on. Will they make a difference. No. England give away another penalty and Japan pull the deficit back to 1 point. We then enter into another period of messy play from both sides and the joke try of the tournament. In the 55th minute England run through a few phases. Earl makes a run down the touch line but it tackled. The ball is moved left slapped backwards off Will Stuart’s arms bounces forward off Joe Marlers head. It’s gathered in by Lawes who canters in while Japan watch on waiting for a knock on to be called. Ford converts and it’s 20-12.  More subs are made with Ben Young coming on. Urgh! On the 65th minute mark a very poor scrum exit from Japan ends up with Matsuda being driven back over the line. England win the 5m scrum and Ford delivers a very nice cross field kick into Stewards waiting arms and he grounds it. Ford nails the difficult conversion and England start to stretch away. It’s 27-12 to the SDs. We’re now into the last 15 mins of the match. Japan seem to be tiring and England start to fling the ball about and for the first time we seem to have some shape. Still time to make some pretty basic handling errors though. Will Stuart’s botches an easy take with the line begging. England have the final word with Marchant going over for a final try following another line out drive. Ford converts and it’s a 34-12 final score.

Game changer

Can’t say that there was one but the joke try might be called a turning point.

Man of the Match

Ben Earls for me had an excellent game. Great link play with the backs in the last 15 mins when Japan were tiring.

Summary

England made it two wins from two and secure a bonus point. However, it was a bit of a scrappy laboured performance against a Japanese team that just ran out of legs in the last quarter. It will do little to quieten the teams doubters and certainly not worry the big guns. Chile will try to play their running game but I reckon Samoa will fancy their chances in the final pool game.

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

💬 Have you got a news article suggestion? Submit a story and have your say
👀 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.com
🎵 Listen to our Podcasts on Spotify and iTunes
🎥 Watch our Podcasts on YouTube


Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleLive Chat: England v Japan.
Next Article Rank Your Top 5 Players – Australia v Fiji – Pool C
Keith

Related Posts

Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #50: limited rugby, but plenty of news

October 14, 2024

Thursday’s Rugby News

July 4, 2024

Thursday’s Rugby News – Under 20s, Tahs do something right, URC final

June 27, 2024

Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #16: Roll Up, Roll Up.

November 20, 2023
Latest

The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

May 23, 2025

Friday’s Rugby News.

May 23, 2025

Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end

May 22, 2025

Hump Day News – in from the side

May 21, 2025
1 2 3 … 2,598 Next
Latest Super Rugby

Reds top of the pops.

March 29, 2025

More Tahs misery.

March 29, 2025

Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

March 24, 2025

Live: SRP ladder

March 22, 2025
1 2 3 … 790 Next
Latest Six Nations

Six Nations round 4

March 8, 2025

Tree Irish legends call time

February 28, 2025

Frogs flog Italy.

February 24, 2025

Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

February 23, 2025
1 2 3 … 25 Next
GAGR Podcast
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Rising rally to overrun Queensland Country

September 4, 2016

Waratahs young leaders to shine

January 18, 2017

Eight ANGRY Observations from tonight’s game

June 18, 2016
New Comments
  • AllyOz on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Yowie on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • AllyOz on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Yowie on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Greg on Friday’s Rugby News.
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2025 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.