Tokyo: Japan coach John Kirwan has promised to make a major impact at next year's rugby World Cup by leading his "Brave Blossoms" to two group game victories.
At an event to mark the one-year countdown before the start of the 2011 tournament in New Zealand, the former All Black great insisted Japan had the weapons to beat Canada and Tonga.
"Canada and Tonga are of our level so I believe we can beat them," Kirwan told Reuters yesterday. "If we came away from the World Cup and we hadn't won those two games, I'd be pretty disappointed.
"I think we deserve to win them, the team's on track to win them. But it's the World Cup. They won't be a runaway games. It will be touch and go.
"We've had a really good season beating Samoa and Tonga, which was really important for us," added the 45-year-old, who took charge of Japan in 2007 after a spell with Italy.
"The team has got a good balance and is well settled. It's important we qualify for 2015 and continue our growth."
Kirwan has made waves since taking over as Japan coach by introducing creative training techniques, including sparring with giant sumo wrestlers and studying aikido techniques.
"The next six months are really important -- to make sure we hit the World Cup and we're not sick of each other or tired," he said.
Keep balance
"That's really important for World Cups because often as coaches we can over-prepare. It's really important that we arrive in New Zealand this time next year ready to play, still feeling excited about it and we still love each other.
"It's important to keep the balance and make sure this is the greatest time in your life," added the New Zealander, who played a key role in Japan landing the 2019 World Cup.
"To do that you got to keep the guys smiling."
Japan face a baptism of fire at the 2011 World Cup with matches against hosts New Zealand and then France but Kirwan said his side would not back down.
"It would be sad if we didn't go down there and show the world how Japanese rugby has improved in the last five years," he said.
"If we can play with courage and conviction and play a Japanese style the world will stand up and say Japanese rugby deserves to be respected.
"We tried a few new things this year. We need to be careful we don't play too technically or tactically. I believe and it is important the players believe too."
