Hi team,
1- GAME REPORT (AFRC vs BAKU) We lost 12 to 39 to a well-organized BAKU side (HT was 0-22) The score line does not do us justice since for the most part, the game was pretty even (we played against the wind in the first half). Bad news never come alone and we also lost Dan to a serious injury 10min in the game. Dan broke his collar bone so he will miss the rest of the season. Beyond rugby we wish him a swift and full recovery and we hope to see him soon with a rugby ball (or a beer?) in his right hand! ☺
Back to the game, we missed too many tackles (LEGS! LEGS! LEGS!) and turned the ball over too much in rucks and contact area. We need to improve our (1) support and (2) individual technique. We got good balls and the game was pretty even except that they made us pay every time we turned the ball or missed a tackle. About the positives, we did some interesting stuff and were able to complete more passes than our opponents (although there were a few lateral runs or solo runs). Some guys stepped up and put some more experience under their belt. We were able to put quite a few phases together with offloads, line breaks etc despite difficult windy conditions. But again we were not good enough in our support and clinical in our execution when we had the occasion. Of course we suffered the fact that we only had one front row (Kosuke) who played alongside Mike and Romain L.
Many runs and line breaks were sterile since support was too slow and Baku recovered the ball right after and counter attached with speed and purpose. Despite the bad news related to Dan serious injury, on the positive, we had the chance to see Baptiste play his first game for AFRC. And what a game it was. One assist to Taka for the first try and one try of his own by going on the fringes of a scrum and side stepping the flanker. Looking forward to what will be the last third of the season, it is important for us to regroup and to step up our efforts at training. Nothing replaces game experience but I believe it is important to train again to improve our individual technique and support in rucks and this will be the focus of the next training sessions at Ariake (we cannot use Takadanobaba just yet and we cannot tackle at USHIGOME).
1. TEAM SCHEDULE:
No GAME until April 6th . Saturday training at ARIAKE on 16th and 23rd/ hope many of you will come
-Every Thursday: USHIGOME from 7pm to 9pm
-Saturday 16 March: ARIAKE from 9.30am to 12pm (will be updated on DOODLE and TEAMSNAP). Minimum 10 players.
-Saturday 23 March: ARIAKE from 9.30am to 12pm (will be updated on DOODLE and TEAMSNAP). Minimum 10 players.
-Saturday 30 March/ Sunday 31 March: No training/ no game since we are all going to…TOKYO SEVENS (see below to secure discount tickets)
-Saturday 6th of April: THE MEAT CUP (10s TOURNAMENT organized by CRUSADERS @ JINMUJI Base) (will be updated on DOODLE and TEAMSNAP)
AFRC will participate in this one day tournament organized by CRU. We will play 3 pool games and one playoff game (10min halves with 10 players a side).
– 2,000 JPY/person (includes BBQ, one drink etc)
– Family/Kids friendly Let me know if you are interested to come. More details to follow
-Sunday 21st of April: GAME. Time and ground TBA (will be updated on DOODLE and TEAMSNAP)
2. TEAM EVENTS:
Tue. 26 March: DINNER with SEVENS FRENCH NATIONAL TEAM Thanks to the efforts of Bruno and Robert Verdier, we will have the pleasure to meet the players and the coaches of FRENCH SEVENS NATIONAL TEAM (same team that we met last year on the occasion of our 25th ANNIVERSARY). Details/Confirmation will be made next week but send me an email ASAP if you are interested to join this dinner since seats will be limited! It will be something like 5,000 JPY/head (wine included) at COMPTOIR OCCITAN (next to PACHON) in DAIKANYAMA from 7pm.
Saturday 30 March/Sunday 31st March: TOKYO SEVENS, tickets on SALE We have secured discount tickets (standard price is 5,500 JPY/adult for two days).
The first 10 people to confirm their tickets (email to me) will get an early bird ticket for 4,500 JPY/adult for the two days (1,000 JPY discount). So far, I received confirmation for 6 tickets. HURRY UP!
The following orders will get tickets at 5,000 JPY/person for two days (500 JPY discount). This is a limited offer with priority to AFRC players and friends. If you are interested send me an email ASAP.
Cheers, Jeanphi