The beginning of a Rugby World Cup cycle is bound to be filled with unsettled international rugby lineups.
We know the squad which will run out for Canada’s new coach Mark Anscombe in June will be a jumble of old and new faces. In such circumstances, wins are best considers as hoped for, rather than expected.
But then again, everyone is doing the great shuffle-about. Four years is a long time.
Their first opponents, Japan, will likely have a new face leading them in June, as captain Michael Leitch, one of the world’s best open side flankers, won’t be in the mix this June, Japanese news agency Kyodo reports.
“I’m not playing, I’ve decided against it,” Leitch said. “I had no break since 2013. I think I won’t be playing at all in June, whether it be test matches or here (for the Chiefs).”
That’s a break for Canada, who face Japan at BC Place on June 11. Leitch, 27, has dominated the breakdown in matches vs. Canada the past two summers. Originally born in New Zealand, the flanker moved to Japan at age 15 to study. He captained Japan U20 and won his first senior cap in 2008 aged just 20.
The Japanese then return home for a two-test series against Scotland.
“I’d like to play, but I’m not in form to be able to. It’s physically tough as well when I think of all the things ahead,” Leith said.
Interim Japanese coach Ryuji Nakatake has had Keisuke Uchida as his captain in the Asian Rugby Championship. Japan’s squad is missing all its veteran stars, most of whom are playing Super Rugby. There were just 33 caps in the 30-man squad leading into the ARC. Japan thumped South Korea 85-0 last week and Hong Kong 38-3 this weekend.
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