by Matt LLOYD
Cardiff, United Kingdom (AFP) — Wales hope to avoid the pitfalls of the past after making ten changes to the side that will play Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.
Interim Wales coach Rob Howley made wholesale alterations to the line-up that beat Argentina 24-20 to end a five-match losing streak, resting players ahead of next week’s November finale at home to South Africa.
The Japan match will see New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe make his first start at outside-half for Wales.
Howley has, however, retained the experienced duo of captain Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones in the pack and recalled veteran centre Jamie Roberts in a bid to provide the stability that Wales have often lacked after rotating their side.
“Gareth has been patient,” said Howley, in charge while Warren Gatland is seconded to the British and Irish for the combined side’s 2017 tour of New Zealand.
“We wanted to involve him last weekend but we were comfortable in the game so we didn’t involve him. But he gets his opportunity now and I am sure he will be ready to go.”
Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Howley added: “There have been changes but it is still a very experienced side and continuity is important. We feel the experience with people like Alun Wyn and Sam will be needed against Japan and also for us to maintain momentum.
“It is also important to give an opportunity to individuals who may have been disappointed with their performances against Australia,” explained Howley in a reference to the lacklustre 32-8 loss to the Wallabies with which Wales opened their November campaign.
Wales will also be well aware their last meeting against 2019 World Cup hosts Japan ended in a 23-8 defeat in Tokyo three years ago, albeit the bulk of their first-choice team was with the Lions in Australia.
Lloyd Williams, James King, Scott Baldwin and Liam Williams, who switches to full-back while Leigh Halfpenny is moved to the wing, were all involved in the first Welsh defeat by the Brave Blossoms.
– ‘Chaos’ –
Japan’s new head coach Jamie Joseph has made four changes from the side that gave him his first win, a 28-22 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi last week.
That followed a 54-20 loss to Argentina in former New Zealand international Joseph’s first game in charge.
Nevertheless, Howley said: “Japan’s performances against Argentina and particularly Georgia were fantastic.
“They showed their ability on the counter-attack to move the ball wide and they are very dangerous.
“From a defensive perspective we are going to have to be on our guard because Japan like chaos, they like an unstructured game.”
Veteran prop Kensuke Hatakeyama, second-row Samuela Anise and wings Akihito Yamada and Kenki Fukuoka are recalled to bolster a hugely inexperienced Japan side that includes five forwards with two or fewer caps.
Fukuoka replaces Karne Hesketh, who scored the last-gasp try in Japan’s stunning victory over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup — the greatest upset in the history of international rugby union.
Japan still feature five players from that stunning success under then coach Eddie Jones, now in charge of England, including captain Harumichi Tatekawa.
“We are starting from scratch because so many of those players from last year have either retired or are unavailable,” said Joseph. “We picked 17 new players for this tour, which is almost unheard of at Test level, but we are building for the next stage of Japanese rugby.
“The result in Georgia was massive for us but this will be a major step up.
“Wales have players in their back line who are bigger than some of our forwards, so we have to play smart and be innovative.”
