Japan’s rugby coach on Friday said he had definitively shut the door on Ayumu Goromaru for next year’s home World Cup, ending any hopes of a repeat of the 2015 heroics which made him a cult figure. Goromaru, 32, was estimated as the world’s richest player following<\/b>
\nJapan’s rugby coach on Friday said he had definitively shut the door on Ayumu Goromaru for next year’s home World Cup, ending any hopes of a repeat of the 2015 heroics which made him a cult figure.
Goromaru, 32, was estimated as the world’s richest player following his performances in 2015, when Japan shocked two-time champions South Africa during their best World Cup to date.
A bronze statue and a \u00ab\u00a0Master of Ninjas\u00a0\u00bb title were among the honors bestowed on the goal-kicking fullback, who also had a giraffe named after him at Hamamatsu zoo.
Goromaru-mania reached a peak when fans flocked to see a Buddha statue said to be striking a similar pose to the pin-up’s pre-kick routine.
But after unsuccessful stints with the Queensland Reds and Toulon, and a subsequent return to Japan’s Yamaha Jubilo, Goromaru’s star has fallen.
Asked whether Goromaru would be considered for next year, Japan coach Jamie Joseph told AFP: \u00ab\u00a0He hasn’t been in the picture since the (2015) World Cup.\u00a0\u00bb
Joseph is now turning his attention full-time to Japan’s upcoming tests against Italy and Georgia, after being drafted in to help out with the Sunwolves, Japan’s Super Rugby team, this season.
He boldly targeted the World Cup quarterfinals next year for the Brave Blossoms, who have never reached the knock-out stages despite winning three pool games in 2015.
\u00ab\u00a0We want to make the top eight. We think we can do that,\u00a0\u00bb Joseph said in an interview in Hong Kong, where the Sunwolves play the Western Stormers on Saturday.
\u00ab\u00a0We played some tier-one teams in the last couple of years. We should have beaten France in France in November last year, we drew with them.
\u00ab\u00a0So on our day we can be good. It’s different from the Super Rugby competition: we play four days of footie, it’s a tournament, very different. So that’s our goal.\u00a0\u00bb
The New Zealander said he wasn’t sure if he would continue his role with the Sunwolves next season, when the countdown begins in earnest towards Asia’s first rugby World Cup.
\u00ab\u00a0I haven’t made that decision yet,\u00a0\u00bb he said, when asked whether he would remain at the helm of the Sunwolves.
\u00ab\u00a0Taking the Sunwolves was never part of the original plan,\u00a0\u00bb the former Otago Highlanders coach added.
\u00ab\u00a0I came (to Asia) to coach Japan but for many reasons we decided to get involved with the Sunwolves, me and my coaching team, to accelerate our development and understanding of the way we want to play the game in the World Cup.\u00a0\u00bb
Joseph said Japan’s plans hadn’t been affected by a row over the final place in their World Cup group, after Russia were installed when Spain, Romania and Belgium were all barred for fielding ineligible players.
\u00ab\u00a0It doesn’t matter who it is, it’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be at a World Cup and everyone’s going to be in peak condition for that tournament,\u00a0\u00bb said Joseph.
He said he had already decided most of his World Cup squad, although more, including South African-born forward Grant Hattingh, would be added when they become eligible to play for Japan next year.
\u00ab\u00a0Playing at home can have two (effects) on the players: it can create a lot of pressure and we certainly don’t want that,\u00a0\u00bb added Joseph.
\u00ab\u00a0But it can also give the guys a bit of a turbo as well, having the support of their families and friends.
\u00ab\u00a0Playing test matches in Japan or in your home country can be very motivating for the players so I think that’s going to work for us.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n