Jones deploys geese formation strategy in Japan rugby squad overhaul

Eddie Jones has utilised videos of geese flying in formation to instruct the Japan rugby team ahead of their second Test match against Australia. The head coach revealed the specific coaching method to address support play, which he described as lacking the necessary sharpness in the opening game. Jones stated that the lead goose represents the ball-carrier, emphasizing that support players must follow the ball-carrier's lead, similar to how geese fly in formation.

Japan lost the first Test 35-32 to Australia in Osaka, a result that marked the first win for new Australian head coach Les Kiss, who succeeded Joe Schmidt earlier this year. Australia overcame an early red card for Miles Amatosero to defeat the home side. Jones has made five changes to the squad for the upcoming second Test in Townsville, including selecting Yoshitaka Yazaki and Shunsuke Uenobo.

Jones explained the analogy in detail, noting that "the ball carrier is king, and then everyone else has got to follow after that." He highlighted that geese fly hundreds or thousands of miles in formation, following the one goose in front, and stressed that it is the responsibility of the support players to respond to what the ball-carrier does. This approach was adopted after Jones admitted Japan's support play "wasn't as sharp as we would have liked" in the opening game.

The upcoming match is scheduled to take place in Townsville, Australia, on Saturday. Following the disappointment in the first game, Jones said Japan have set themselves the task of "really taking it to Australia this week." He added that the most important thing now is how the team takes on this game, with the squad aiming to correct the tactical errors observed in Osaka.

Notable selections for the second Test include university student Yoshitaka Yazaki, who has been picked on the wing, and Shunsuke Uenobo, who has been given his first start at centre. Jones, who previously coached Japan from 2012 to 2015, is now focused on implementing these structural adjustments as the series moves to Australian soil.