Japan can “go all the way” in the Rugby World Cup, said prop Craig Millar on Thursday, two days before the Brave Blossoms’ opening game against Chile.
Ahead of the World Cup, Michael Leitch, who will be playing in his fourth World Cup, described the current squad as “the best team Japan has ever seen”.
“I think this team can go all the way”, Leitch said.
On Thursday, Australian-born Millar agreed with the former captain.
“Of course I agree with Leitch. There’s a huge amount of belief in the team,” said Millar.
“Only we know how hard we worked and only we know what it means to all of us so there’s a huge amount of belief to go all the way.”
Japan, quarter-finalists four years ago, face debutants Chile on Sunday in Toulouse before taking on the relative heavyweights in Group D — England, Argentina, Samoa.
Centre Tomoki Osada called Chile a “good physical side,” but did not disguise his satisfaction that Japan were facing them first.
Fly-half Lee Seung-Sin said he expected Chile to be motivated for their first World Cup game.
“It’s important that we don’t focus too much on them,” said Lee. “We need to concentrate on ourselves, on our rugby, everyone wants a good result against Chile, it’s a crucial game for us on Sunday.”
