The Latest: Hansen: Joseph could one day coach All Blacks

By Associated Press 30 September 2019, 12:00AM

TOKYO (AP) — The Latest on Day 11 of the Rugby World Cup (all times local):

4 p.m.

Japan coach Jamie Joseph, a former All Black, could one day coach New Zealand, incumbent Steve Hansen says.

Hansen is stepping down as All Blacks coach after this Rugby World Cup. Assistant Ian Foster is the favorite to succeed him, but Joseph's guidance of Japan has put him in the conversation even though he hasn't spelled out his post-tournament plans.

Joseph coached New Zealand Maori and Super Rugby's Highlanders before he became Japan coach in 2016. Hansen has admired him from afar.

Asked about his prospects for the All Blacks position, Hansen says, "Jamie Joseph's a very good coach. He didn't become one overnight just because he coached Japan to beat Ireland.

"I always find it amusing, you beat someone and all of a sudden you're a super coach. I hold the world record for the most losses in a row and the world record for the most wins in a row so what sort of coach am I?

"Coaching's a lot more than just the results. Is he good enough to be an All Black coach? I think he is one day, I do. Am I picking the next coach? No.

"So there's not much point even asking what my opinion is because those people who are appointing him won't take any notice of it anyway, and probably rightly so."

___

2:45 p.m.

France's players will wear black armbands in memory of former French President Jacques Chirac for Wednesday's match against the United States in Fukuoka.

Chirac died last Thursday at the age of 86. He was president from 1995 to 2007.

The French Rugby Federation said a minute's silence will be held before the game in agreement with World Rugby.

France called a national day of mourning on Monday and France's players and staff members observed a minute's silence before they began their training session.

___

1:35 p.m.

Wales is back up to No. 2 and Ireland down to No. 4 in rugby's world rankings after the Welsh beat Australia and the Irish were upset by Japan.

Japan moved up to No. 8, its highest placing in the 16-year history of the rankings, after beating Ireland 19-12 in the Rugby World Cup's biggest stunner so far on Saturday.

New Zealand retains the No. 1 ranking it lost to Wales and then Ireland in the weeks before the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The All Blacks regained top spot from Ireland after holding off South Africa 23-13 in their Pool B opener in Yokohama nine days ago. New Zealand plays Canada in its second pool game on Wednesday.

In the rankings, England stays No. 3 and South Africa No. 5.

___

12:25 p.m.

France has made 12 changes for the Pool C match against the United States in Fukuoka on Wednesday.

Only three players remain from the lineup which won 23-21 against Argentina: Flanker Arthur Iturria, center Gael Fickou and left winger Yoann Huget.

The game is going ahead as scheduled after World Rugby worried about nearby Typhoon Mitag However, weather information experts and the Japan Meteorological Agency confirm the typhoon is lessening in strength, and moving westward away from Japan's coastline.

It "will not impact the match," World Rugby said in a statement.

Fickou makes his 50th test appearance and is partnered in midfield by Sofiane Guitoune, who comes in for Virimi Vakatawa.

Camille Lopez, who kicked the winning dropped goal against the Pumas, starts in place of Romain Ntamack and will take penalties.

Thomas Ramos steps in for veteran Maxime Medard at fullback and gives France another kicking option.

An entirely new forward pack sees veteran No. 8 Louis Picamoles, who is appearing in his third World Cup, displace Gregory Alldritt and he captains the side instead of Guilhem Guirado, who is replaced at hooker by Camille Chat.

Mainstay props Jefferson Poirot and Rabah Slimani swap out for Cyril Baille and Emerick Setiano, respectively. Lock Sebastien Vahaamahina sits out for Paul Gabrillagues.

Guirado, Poirot, Slimani, Vahaamahina, Alldritt, Ntamack and Medard are among the reserves.

The other reserve is scrumhalf Baptiste Serin and Antoine Dupont, who started against Argentina, drops out of the matchday 23.

At the World Cup four years ago, the French used a similar turnover and made 13 changes for their second game.

France: Thomas Ramos, Alivereti Raka, Sofiane Guitoune, Gael Fickou, Yoann Huget, Camille Lopez, Maxime Machenaud; Louis Picamoles (captain), Yacouba Camara, Arthur Iturria, Paul Gabrillagues, Bernard Le Roux, Emerick Setiano, Camille Chat, Cyril Baille. Reserves: Guilhem Guirado, Jefferson Poirot, Rabah Slimani, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Gregory Alldritt, Baptiste Serin, Romain Ntamack, Maxime Medard.

___

11:50 a.m.

New Zealand has made 11 changes from the starting XV that beat South Africa for its second Pool B match against Canada on Wednesday in Oita.

Only lock Scott Barrett and captain and No. 8 Kieran Read in the forwards, and flyhalf Richie Mo'unga and fullback Beauden Barrett in the backs kept their starting spots after defeating the Springboks 23-13 in Yokohama nine days ago.

The two Barretts are starting with their third brother, Jordie, who is on the right wing. They will be the second trio of brothers to start in a Rugby World Cup match behind the Vunipola brothers in 1995 for Tonga. Elisi and Manu Vunipola started against France, and Fe'ao came off the bench to become the first trio to play in the same game. Four days later, against Scotland they all started.

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo'unga, TJ Perenara; Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Angus Ta'avao, Liam Coltman, Atu Moli. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Ardie Savea, Brad Weber, Ryan Crotty, Ben Smith.

___

11:45 a.m.

Scotland and Samoa meet in Pool A on Monday as the Rugby World Cup group-stage approaches the halfway mark.

The Scots are coming off a 27-3 loss to Ireland, which then lost in a World Cup shocker to host Japan. The Samoans opened with a win over Russia but have been forced to reshuffle the lineup because of injuries and the suspension of two players for high tackles.

The second weekend off the tournament culminated with Six Nations champion Wales holding off a resurgent Australian lineup on Sunday night to take control of Pool D.

There's a rest day on Tuesday, before the defending champion All Blacks are back in action on Wednesday against Canada.

___

More AP Rugby World Cup: https://www.apnews.com/RugbyWorldCup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By Associated Press 30 September 2019, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>