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TOKYO - Japan coach John Kirwan announced Saturday his final squad for the rugby World Cup next month, mainly focusing on their first match against powerhouses Australia.
"We have a big responsibility at the moment, not only for Asian rugby, but especially for the Japanese rugby.
This team carries the dreams and hopes of a nation that is about to explode as far as rugby concerns," said the All Blacks legend.
"We need a great World Cup, we need players to be great, and then we can all rejoice the success."
Kirwan selected 16 forwards, including captain Takuro Miuchi, and 14 backs, including top tryscorer Daisuke Ohata, as well as six back up players.
The team also includes four New Zealanders and three Tongans - locks Luke Thompson and Luatangi Vatuvei, flankers Hare Makiri and Philip O'Reily, centre backs Bryce Robins and Nataliela Oto, and winger Christian Loamanu.
Stand-off James Arlidge of New Zealand, who made a successful debut for Japan in April against South Korea scoring two tries and 10 conversions, and halfback Kim Chul-Won of South Korea were back up players.
The Japanese team will on Sunday leave for Italy, where they will play Italy on August 18 and Portugal on August 25 for their final warm up matches.
Japan will play Australia, Wales, Fiji and Canada in Pool B in the World Cup, which will start September 7 in France.
Squad:
Forwards: Ryo Yamamura, Masahito Yamamoto, Tomokazu Soma, Tatsukichi Nishiura, Yuji Matsubara, Mitsugu Yamamoto, Hitoshi Ono, Takanori Kumagae, Luatangi Vatuvei, Luke Thompson, Takuro Miuchi (captain), Yasunori Watanabe, Hajime Kiso, Hare Makiri, Philip O'Reilly, Takamichi Sasaki.
Backs: Yuki Yatomi, Tomoki Yoshida, Eiji Ando, Kousei Ono, Shotaro Onishi, Nataniela Oto, Yuta Imamura, Koji Taira, Bryce Robins, Daisuke Ohata, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kosuke Endo, Christian Loamanu, Go Aruga.
Back up players: Takahiro Sugiura, Yuta Inose, Taku Inokuchi, Ryota Asano, Kim Chul-Won, James Arlidge.
- AFP
