Japan’s failure to take a restart costs them again

Japan's problems at taking restarts ended up costing them yet again during Friday's match with Samoa at the Chichibunomiya Stadium. It follows on from similar problems that ran through out last year in various games.

After mentioning how Japan's lack of ability at winning the "3rd set piece" the restart led to giving the opposition good attacking position, which ultimately led tries over the course of last year during games against Tonga, Canada and Scotland, it went and happened again during their match with Samoa on Friday.

Japan lost the contest for the ball at two restarts during the game, the second occasion led to the attacking position for a try. A couple phases after losing the restart, Fautua Otto broke the line and from there created a try for Brando Va'aulu.

Whilst the missed tackle was obviously the major factor in that try, the attacking position of just outside the 22 wouldn't have happened if Japan won the restart and booted it back downfield. Perhaps Saracens lock Steve Borthwick, now officially the full time forwards coach, can help sort this out on his arrival. For some reason nearly every time Japan lose a restart, the next plays seem to lead to a try.

Japan failure to collect a restart again gave their opposition good attacking position, which
was capitilised on by Samoa last Friday for their second try.