Japan set for final push on sevens series

Japan currently sit 15th in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with just two rounds remaining in London and Paris.

The side ranked 15th after the 10th event will be relegated and replaced by Ireland for the 2019/20 Series.

With a home Olympic Games on the horizon, Japan know the importance of being a core team on the series as they prepare to build on their fourth position in Rio.

“At the moment we are right at the bottom and now we are aiming to stay in the series,” said Kameli Soejima.

“The end of the series will be a building block as to how far we have come and will judge how we can perform in the Games next year. As we are hosting we have to try our best to be in the series.”

Japan will face matches with South Africa, Argentina and Canada on day one. Progression to their first Cup quarter-final of the season would go a long way to safety.

They sit on 22 points behind Wales (25) and Kenya (26), and Michael Coloke is also aware of how important the next two weekends are for Japan rugby.

“It is really important for us, it will be vital to stay in the world series as it’ll be good preparation for the Olympic Games next year,” added Coloke.

“We now just have to put it out on the pitch. We are capable of competing against the best, it’s just some of our mistakes that let us down. If we can eliminate them, I think we will be fine.”

Lote Tuqiri, one of the more experienced players in Japan’s squad echoes Soejima’s and Coloke’s thoughts, but added what hosting an Olympic Games could do for his country.

“The Games is so important for rugby in Japan. It is building slowly and hopefully it can bring more spectators to watch sevens and more children to play it.”