Heat may wilt Blossoms

SYDNEY - Japan have had their moments at the World Cup only to come up short but they get their final chance for a win and avoid the wooden spoon in pool B when they play the United States in Gosford tonight.

The Cherry Blossoms have won over the fans with their effervescent performances against Scotland, France and Fiji, but they have usually run out of energy and ideas and finished well beaten on the scoreboard.

In their last appearance against the one-dimensional American Eagles, the Japanese would appear to have talent, adventure and imagination in their favour, but three matches in 11 days in the tropical heat of Townsville have drained them.

While the Japanese have had just three days to prepare for the match, the Eagles have had twice that time and Japanese coach Shogo Mukai will have a job to restore morale and punch.

"For two days after the French match [a 50-29 loss] the players were unable to move and it left us only two days to practise which proved difficult with players who were tired both physically and mentally," he said.

"With even less time to prepare for our next match it is going to be more difficult to get them ready for the USA clash."

First five-eighths, New Zealander Andrew Miller, is one who is struggling with the limited recovery time ahead of the game with the Americans.

"I don't know why but I could hardly move in the second half.

"I was out on my feet and it led me to make some bad decisions which contributed to us playing our worst match of the campaign," Miller said of the game against Fiji.

"I was simply out of gas and I know it's going to be a real struggle to get my batteries recharged for Monday's match."

American coach Tom Billups admits to having sleepless nights ahead of tonight's game in which the US are trying to end a 16-year losing run at the cup.

Their last win was against the Japanese in 1987.

It was not just the fact his Eagles went down 39-15 to an error-prone Scotland, but also the way the Japanese played against France in defeat.

"The Japanese are playing some entertaining and dynamic rugby," Billups said.

"I don't know about anybody else but I didn't sleep a lot the other night after watching them play France. We will have to play a better game than against Scotland."

Billups made just two changes to his starting XV. Australia-born centre Kain Cross has a chest injury and is replaced by Salesi Sika while Gerhard Klerk comes in at lock for Alec Parker. Flanker Dave Hodges will earn his 50th test cap, and captains the US.

The United States have a 15-1-3 record against Japan and are coming off an excellent season in which they routed the Cherry Blossoms 69-27 in San Francisco.

- AGENCIES