The Japanese coach who came to Ireland to study the rugby

IT WAS THE rugby that brought Japanese coach Atsushi Tanabe to Ireland earlier this month but he learned about two new sports during his week-long stay.

“I was hesitating but I thought I might as well have a go,” says Tanabe. “I had one and was thinking, ‘Shit, this is good!’” Advertisement Tanabe during his playing days with the Panasonic Wild Knights. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo He got in touch with his friend Bernard Jackman, who he had first connected with in Jackman’s online coaching group during Covid. Tanabe made a major impression on that group with a presentation about Japan’s attack at the 2019 World Cup.

“What I’ve been watching from Irish rugby is this totally different style of rugby. You guys are really good at keeping the ball in hand, trying to pressure with the ball, creating space and speed in attack.“It’s a point of difference. If Ireland copy and paste what New Zealand or South Africa do, you guys will never win. When I talked to Paul O’Connell, he said that Ireland can’t play like other countries, we’ve got to understand what we stand for, what the green jersey means for us.

He watched Munster training in Limerick and was impressed by the province’s entire academy being part of the senior session. It’s not something that happens in Japan and explains why young Irish players are ready to step up in the URC when called on.

Ireland Konnichiwa Observer Paul O'connell

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