TOKYO, Jan 29 (Reuters) – If Japan are to remain ranked in the Top World News eight nations in the world, they must evolve the current domestic league structure, according to Brave Blossoms head coach Jamie Joseph.
Joseph, who led Japan to their first ever Rugby World Cup quarter-final on home soil last year and eighth place in the world rankings, wants the domestic Top League competition to run from December to May so as not to interfere with the national team’s test matches.
“It is detrimental to the national game if we are asking our players to play test matches then Top League and then test matches, and be successful at both,” said Joseph, according to Kyodo News.
“First and foremost, for us to keep improving as a team we must prioritize the welfare of our players.”
“The World Cup results were evidence that when we get that right the players can achieve anything. And I believe we need a Top League structure that allows our players to achieve this.”
Joseph, who signed on to coach Japan for another four years following the World Cup, has been frustrated in the past at not having players available for the Brave Blossoms due to their Top League commitments.
Japan’s Top League competition, which this year features the likes of Dan Carter, Kieran Read and Will Genia, usually runs from September through January.
However, because of last year’s World Cup, the start of the competition was postponed until earlier this month.