South Korean coach John Walters has named a side with only two changes for the crucial second Asia Rugby Championship match on Saturday against Japan in Tokyo. The forward pack, which performed solidly in last week’s 47-29 loss in Incheon, remains unchanged, whilst there are two changes in the backline.
On the left wing Jang Yong Heung is rewarded for his livewire performance against Japan. Coming on as a substitute after just 5 minutes, Jang managed to get himself involved in everything, almost scoring two tries, pulling off a try-saving tackle, getting up in the Japanese line constantly and scoring South Korea’s brilliant 80th minute length of the field try. Midfielder Kim Seong Soo also replaces Kim Nam Ook who went off early in the last game with a leg injury.
Both teams were a little scratchy last week as it was their first test match of 2017 so we can expect an increase in both conditioning and accuracy levels in Tokyo. John Walters said after the match that he was “reasonably happy with the effort which was typical for a first game” and he would be looking to tidy up on some of the mistakes that his team made. He also commented that his team’s conditioning is “three weeks short” so there is plenty of room for improvement.
Players who performed well for the South Koreans in the forwards included Han Gun Yu (5), Lee Yong Seung (8) and hooker Kim Jip (2) who all scored tries and worked tirelessly taking the ball up on attack and making tackles. In the backline the excellent work of the inside three Yu Jae Hyuk (10), Mun Jeon Ho (12) and last week’s star Jang Yong Heung (11) drew in defenders and stepped and passed well to set up their outsides and create space and get behind Japan and create opportunities to score. Keep your eye on these players in Toyko.
One area South Korea outshone Japan was in intensity and passion, particularly on defense. This was recognised by Japanese coach Jamie Joseph who said “hats off to Korea, Korea played with more spirit”. Not only did Korea play with more spirit but they played with confidence in the tackle area producing a number of defensive turnovers and offloading well in the tackle on attack to keep the ball alive and cut through the Japanese defense. The South Korean rugby team in 2017 has shown it wants to play an exciting, passionate and expansive game that is both a joy to watch and a winning brand of rugby.
Asia Rugby Championship
Saturday, 29 April 2017
Japan v South Korea at Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo
Referee: Matthew Rodden (Hong Kong)
Story by : Owen McCaffrey
SOUTH KOREAN SQUAD:
1 Nam Gwan Yeong
2 Kim Jip
3 Kim Gwang Shik
4 Yang Dae Yong
5 Han Gon Gyu
6 Kim Hyun Su
7 Kim Jung Min
8 Lee Yong Seung
9 Shin Gi Chul
10 Yu Choi Hyuk
11 Jang Yong Heung
12 Mun Jeong Ho
13 Kim Seong Soo
14 Jeong Yeon Shik
15 Lee Jae Buk
RESERVES
16 Lim Jun Hee
17 Kim Song Tae
18 Kang Tae Hyun
19 Shin Da Hyun
20 Jeong Hyo Jinj
21 Kim Seong Hyeon
22 Jang Yong Heung
23 Jang Jeong Min
COACHES
Head Coach: John Walters
Assistant Coach: Dion Muir
Manager: Yu Jun Hyeok (Jun)
