Japan back row Michael Leitch tells Mail Sport’s Croqued Monsieurs that the Cherry Blossoms have ‘grown’ at World Cup and believes all-or-nothing clash with Argentina could create ‘new history’

• Michael Leitch believes Japan are improving as a team at Rugby World Cup
• Japan can reach quarter-finals overseas for first time with win against Argentina
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Japan back row Michael Leitch believes the Cherry Blossoms can make ‘new history’ at the Rugby World Cup in France by beating Argentina in their final pool stage game. 

Leitch was part of the Japan side that reached the quarter-finals when the tournament was played on home soil in 2019, and scored two tries in Thursday’s 28-22 Pool D win against Samoa.

Jamie Joseph’s side lost nine of ten matches heading into this year’s tournament in France but could make the knockout stages in an overseas competition for the first time if they overcome Argentina.

Leitch told Mail Sport’s Croqued Monsieurs: ‘As the World Cup has gone on we have grown and are improving as a team.

‘There is a lot of pressure on the Argentina game, not just for us but them as well. If we win, it is a new history for Japan, being able to win overseas and get to the next stage. That would be an incredible achievement. But we just have to focus on next week’s preparation, be consistent and play well against Argentina.’

Watch Leitch in the latest episode of Croqued Monsieurs – an alternative Rugby World Cup diary.

 

 

 

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