TOKYO - Japan must show how much they have improved after their poor performance a week ago when they play a test match against Italy on Saturday in preparation for the rugby World Cup in France next month.
"We will not be able to win at the RugbyWorld Cup if we play the way we did against the Asian Barbarians," Japan coach John Kirwan said of Japan's 64-10 win a week ago in Tokyo.
"We really should have had over 100 points on them. Now it is time we train to play well under extreme pressure from this point forward towards the rugby World Cup in France."
Since arriving in Italy Sunday midnight, the 36-player Japanese team started a training camp in Aosta, a beautiful mountainous region of Italy with dry and cool temperatures.
The All Blacks legend is working on improvement of their individual skills and attack-defensive skills. They were in the gym Thursday morning and were given the afternoon off to recover.
Saturday's match against Italy is one of two warm-up games for the World Cup, which will start September 7 in France.
Japan will play Australia, Wales, Fiji and Canada in Pool B.
