Uruguay RWC 2023: Ready to ramp up preparations
With two test series against Uruguay, Japan and Romania will have a clear picture of where they stand against their Rugby World Cup 2023 rivals when their action-packed summer games end. A historic year for the burgeoning rugby nation as they qualified for America 1 for the first time. The four games gave Los Teros their first competitive knockout round since 2021. Rugby World Cup 2023 fans can buy New Zealand Vs Uruguay Tickets from our website.
But until October, they had never competed in the game’s flagship tournament as the best team in America before. Uruguay has played the past two and four matches and is no stranger to the Rugby World Cup.
After trailing the United States by 3 points in the first leg in Glendale, Colorado, Los Teros won the return leg 34-15 in Montevideo to go straight to France 2023 with a total of 50-34.
More matches against opponents that they will test in different ways. A qualifier for America 1 gives Los Teros extra time to prepare.
With many of the players still in the squad to this day and trip to Japan will bring back fond memories of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Uruguay defeated Fiji 30-27 on a thrilling day at Kamaishi Restoration Stadium, their third tournament win since their 1999 debut.
The first game of the Japan Tour will be held on June 18 at Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo with a capacity of 27,000 fans. While the second game will be played with a capacity of 15,000 fans at Kitakyushu Mikuni Stadium.
“For Uruguay, the opportunity to play two games against a team like Japan is very important to prepare for the next World Cup,” said Uruguay president Santiago Slinger.
“Brave Blossoms is one of the fastest growing elite teams in recent years and is undoubtedly an example to follow.”
“It is very reassuring to visit Japan again after an unforgettable experience at the 2019 World Cup, as it is a country that has hosted us in a spectacular way. We are excited to be back and participate in these important matches.”
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In 2015, Uruguay only played twice against the Brave Blossoms in Japan, both 40-0 and 30-8.
But since then, great strides have been made to take advantage of Uruguay’s high-performing centres and involvement in the Pro Club Leagues, American Rugby Premier League and Major League Rugby.
Coach Esteban Meneses has also done an excellent job of motivating and bringing together a team that has grown in scope, after which he won a lucrative foreign deal in France and featured some of Los Teros’ star players at the Rugby World Cup 2019. Rugby World Cup fans can buy France Vs Uruguay Tickets from our website.
While Japan is nine places ahead and nearly 12 points ahead of Uruguay. Uruguay has placed the two teams not far apart in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings in the second half of the testing window.
Only two places and a half point apart is more known compared to Uruguay’s short association with the Brave Blossoms.
“The two games against Romania will be a huge opportunity to continue preparations for France 2023,” Meneses said.
“It will be a great opportunity to rank the inductees who play in Europe today, along with those who play in the MLS and NFL, against their direct opponents as they are currently number 17, and we are number 19.”
“We must use this opportunity to continue to grow in the game and as a team to achieve our great goal, the World Cup.”
Romania has only played Los Teros once before on Uruguayan soil, 21-21 in Montevideo in 2010. It was the first leg of the 2011 RWC final qualifying round and the South American missed a trip to New Zealand after a homecoming loss by 39-12.
The Oaks have won eight of their remaining nine games since a separate draw, with Los Teros’ only success in a 27-20 win in Bucharest in November 2018.
In the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Uruguay will face New Zealand, France, Italy and Africa 1 in Group A.
Japan beats Uruguay in Tokyo
Preparations for Japan’s Rugby World Cup are serious with a comfortable 34-15 win over Uruguay in Tokyo today.
Brave Blossoms will face the same foe again this summer as part of four home tests, including two against France.
Japan was too hot on fire against Uruguay, stemming from the combination of young players and veterans making their historic run to the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup. Rugby World Cup fans can buy Rugby World Cup 2023 Tickets from our website.
Coach Takanobu Horikawa took over after Jamie Joseph’s departure. But the New Zealander will return next week for Kitakyushu’s second game against Uruguay.
“For 80 minutes we were in control and we were able to take it easy,” Horikawa said.
“We’ve been able to show our style and do what we’ve been working on for the past two weeks on both sides of the floor. I’m very happy with today’s game.”
At the World Cup next year, Japan will take on England, Argentina, Samoa and qualifiers from America.
Koga Nezuka and Tevita Tatafu tried to give Japan the lead against Uruguay in the first half. After which Kosuke Horikoshi, Koji Iino and Takeshi Hino scored after the break.
The four starters in the starting lineup in Japan made their debut.
“It’s great to meet new, up-and-coming youngsters,” said Wimpie van der Walt one of the few World Cup veterans, on the second row.
Diego Magno and Manuel Ardao scored in the second half for Uruguay. Which faces host countries France, New Zealand, Italy and African qualifiers at the World Cup.
“Our plan is to gain experience by competing at such a high level to prepare for the World Cup,” said Uruguay coach Esteban Meneses.
“I think today’s game has a lot of good things to learn from. When the World Cup comes, we will try to improve and be at our best.”
Japan beats Uruguay in France Tests preps
Japan defeated Uruguay 43-7 in Kitakyushu to warm up for their series against France.
The hosts made six attempts on Saturday to back up last week’s 34-15 win over the South Americans in Tokyo.
Captain Atsushi Sakate gave Japan a good start when he crossed the line five minutes later, and three penalties from Takuya Yamasawa in eight out of five quickly gave the hosts a 14-0 lead at the Mikuni World Stadium.
It then stagnated for a while, but midfielder Dylan Riley fiddled with a cross just before half-time, winger Ben Gunter scored a touchdown shortly after the break and South African-born winger Gerhard van den Heever made his test debut.
Riley centre Yusuke Kajimura scored the last goal for the Sakura, making it 36-0 after Uruguayan winger Santiago Civetta was sent into the penalty area.
Lee Seung Sin replaced Yamasawa, who missed four conversions and went into the extras after Kajimura’s five-pointer extended the lead to 43-0.
Los Teros finally reached the board through Manuel Ardao, number 8, six minutes from Japan. When a man fell to the ground after prop Keita Inagaki was shown a yellow card.
The 2019 World Cup quarter-finalists will face the 2023 World Cup host nation at Toyota Stadium next Saturday for a second test at Tokyo’s National Stadium next week.
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