Japan coach Eddie Jones said his young team must learn to keep their focus for 90 minutes but should not become despondent after collapsing in the second-half against Australia on Saturday.The visitors went in to the break trailing just 21-17 after an even first-half in Townsville but then leaked 35 unanswered points to crash 56-17.It followed a narrow 35-32 defeat against Les Kiss’s team in Osaka last week.“We showed we can do it for 40 minutes. You know, we’ve played two good halves of rugby against Australia [over two Tests], we’ve got blown away in the second half,” Jones said.“They won the air, won the breakdown. We weren’t good enough to defend our errors,” he added. “Congratulations to Australia.”Despite the heavy loss, Jones said it was all part of the learning experience for his mostly inexperienced side, with 10 players fielded in Townsville having fewer than 10 caps.Shuhei Takeuchi of Japan applauds the fans after losing to Australia in a rugby Test match. Photo: EPA
Japan’s young rugby team gain ‘great experience’ despite heavy loss to Australia
Coach Eddie Jones says his players must learn to keep their focus for 90 minutes and not become despondent after collapsing in second-half.
165 words~1 min read
