Trainings on Thursdays- GROUND HAS CHANGED

From this week, ground for training has changed: we are now playing on a school ground north of Ichigaya and between 2 metro stations, Ushigomeyanagicho and Ushigomekagurazaka. Here is the link http://strug.d2.r-cms.jp/location_detail/id=5
It is the same ground we used last year during the winter, and still between 19h and 21h.

AFRC v Urayasu Beers – meeting 1pm @ Musashi Urawa

Hi team,
details. We lost yesterday’s game on details. One missed tackle, one line-out lost, a missed conversion. But the overall picture was nice to see, so congrats.
This Sunday’s game will be the last of the Shuto League, we still can hope for a second place and play the play-offs.

Meeting is at 13h00 at Musashi-Urawa Station, same as yesterday. KO is at 15h00.

Mail me ASAP with Yes/No/Maybe, please.

On related news, anybody up for a Black Lion tonight? no school tomorrow…

Matt ROSENBERG

Match Report – AFRC v Dandelions

SOME DEFEATS WORTH VICTORIES

Sunday 1 November 2009

AFRC – Dandelions : 19 – 28 (Half time: 14-7)
3 tries : Charlie (19’), Taka (31’), Yamamoto (70’)
2 conversions : Stephane del Gallo (19’, 31’)
AFRC team : Naiki (replaced by Joe (35’)), Kousuke, Charlie, Alexandre M (replaced by Benoit (55’)), Hiro, Masayuki, Matthieu R (captain), Teru (replaced by Yamamoto), Jeremy (Vice Capitaine), Dan, Kei, Stephane DG, Jean Philippe, Fabien (replaced by Teru (60′)), Ito and Yuji did not come in.

The AFRC are improving their rugby and have probably played their best rugby since the start of this season. Well, it is still a defeat but a defeat with honours, A same game played 4 weeks ago would have resulted in a defeat by 40 to something. In lieu of that, Dandelions had to fight hard to beat us.

Why improving? why a defeat?

Improving because we are in a better physical shape week after week. Everyone who attended regularly the trainings can now run for 70 mns, fight for 70 mns and keep enough lucidity to decide what is the best to do for the team.

Improving as we play as a team. More support was brought to the ball carrier. The forwards were able to develop some good mauls, got the ball when they were running at full speed. On one these actions, Charlie scored our 1st try. And, my pleasure was to see the backs passing superbly the ball to each others. The repeated work, under the leadership of Jeremy is paying off. Clearly our attacking tactics are proving to be better and better.

But, therefore, why a defeat?

A rugby game is played at 22 and not at 19 as we were. Clearly, in the 2nd half, the Dandelions got fresh blood, mainly in their back lines which helped them to speed up and go to try.

Then, if we can be satisfied by our attacking spirits, our defense still remains our Achilles’ heel. Once again, there was too much gap between our fly half and our 2 centers, giving space to their #12 and 13, who scored 3 out of their 4 tries, togo through. And, I would like to add that our defense line is a not straight line but a zigzag which increases the gaps. Finally, it is true that we need to work to get a 2nd defense line to overcome a missed tackle. This role is the one of the 3rd row and the full back. WE SHALL WORK TO FIX THIS ISSUE for our next training. Writing that, the AFRC showed a fantastic team spirit when we succeeded to avoid a try during the 1st half for several minutes. Everyone sacrificed himself to prevent Dandelions to cross our try line. On that occasion, Well done boys!!

Finally, there were also too many penalties given for rather stupid actions at maul and ruck, tackles, kick in open space. I counted at least 9 of them mainly from the backs. Once again, we shall review the rules on these actions, on Thursday’s training. But remember, if you tackle, roll away; go on your feet again if you wish to play; if a maul or ruck is formed, join from the hindmost foot of your player’s side and enter by the gate formed from this hindmost foot. Don’t play the ball with hands if this one is on the ground.

Otherwise, We lost 3 balls on our own line outs. It is too much. We can improve this record. At the opposite, we contested well and often successfully their line outs and we were able to get back the ball.

5 turnovers against us, mainly for a lack of support and due to a weak organization at maul or ruck. Remember: it is often more important not to compete for the ball at ruck or maul but to clean up our opponents’ arms from the space to make the ball easier to be handled by our scrum half.

TECHNICAL COMMENT:
For your information, games stats:

Score development : 0-7 (10′), 7-7 (19′), 14-7 (31′ and half time score), 14-21 (45′), 14-28 (50′), 19-28 (70′ and full time score)

4 conceded tries
3 scored tries – 2 converted and the last one hit the post.

1 missed conversion pour 2 succeded (EXCELLENT)

8 knock ons (better record but we can still improve it).

12 missed tackles (UNACCEPTABLE).

1 ball lost on our own throw in at scrum (MUST BE IMPROVED)

On line out, 3 balls lost on our own launch (MUST BE IMPROVED)

1 off side on kick in open play (MUST BE IMPROVED)
6 off side in joining a maul or ruck (UNACCEPTABLE)
2 hands in maul and rucks (UNACCEPTABLE)

Several balls not caught directly but after rebound only from opponent kicks (UNACCEPTABLE)

In CONCLUSION, if we can fix our problem in defense by tackling well, by improving our 2nd defense line, by reducing the number of mistakes at rucks and mauls, WE SHALL WIN THESE GAMES for the next time. WE SHALL FOCUS ON THESE POINTS for our next trainings.

WE NEED MORE WORK, MORE EFFORTS to come back home with a victory and a great feeling. We are on a good way and we shall succeed if we continue to train and play like that.

AFRC v Dandelions – meeting 1pm @ Musashi Urawa

Hi All France, good victory yesterday against a not-so-great Buwaku team 37-10, report to come. We have now the last 2 games of the Shuto League, this week end (1st of Nov) and the next (8th of Nov), and if we win these 2 difficult games, we will be champion of our division. Dandelions and Urayasu Beers are the hardest teams we will play so I want everybody committed during these 2 weeks, that means regular exercise and refrain from drinking (even during the Bledisloe Cup/Halloween party). We should do a sayonara party for Teru on the 13th or 14th when we will be able to release some pressure… On Sunday, we will meet the Dandelions, they have usually a good back line and are very quick on support. Meeting is at 13h00 at Musashi Urawa Station, KO is at 15h20 at Akigase ground.

AFRC v Buwaku – match report

We showed up with 11 AFRCers and 4 borrowed. The pitch was in magnificent condition which was a real pleasure to play on. Buwaku put their old old-boys on for the first half and their young, old-boys in the second half. Scrums were uncontested. 25 minute halves.

Our team was:
1 Takahara
2 Yuji
3 Kosuke
4 Matt V
5 Ibi-san (borrowed)
6 Kenji (borrowed)
7 Fabien
8 Matt R (c)
9 Florian
10 Jeremy
11 Andy
12 Dan
13 Jean-Phi
14 Ishizaki (borrowed)
14 Yamagen (borrowed)

We kicked off with a fairly strong breeze behind us. It was immediately apparant that we were going to dominant. A pretty nice back move saw Jean-phi cut through the middle and put me over in the corner for the first try. With the wind behind us we were camped in their half most of the time. Kenji, the borrowed flanker did some strong runs and scored a pretty solid individual try. And soon after Takahara went in after a good forward run. A nice kick from our fullback for Jean-phi to gather put us close, after a few more passes big Matt V went over – rewarded for some good support play. Near the end of the half, on the 4th or 5th phase I went over in the corner, the ball going through lots of hands.

Maybe 27 – 0 half time

2nd half, the young old-boys, playing down wind, started strongly and scored an early try against us down the short side, showing pretty good ball skills and caught us off-gaurd a little. We replied pretty soon after with a well worked cut from a set play about 20m out putting Dan(gerous) in under the posts. The next 10 minutes involved a fair bit of scrappy play, some aimless kicking, knock-ons, some penalties. Eventually Florian went over with a scurrying dash at the line from about 10 meters out. Unfortunately Buwaku got the last word with a try from deep in their own half against the run of play.

Full time 39 – 10

In summary, it was difficult to gauge our perfomance because the opposition did not really test us physically or punish us for our mistakes. However they did put some pressure on our back line and forced a lot of errors. It was a very open game with a lot of passes being thrown aimlessly when we were put under pressure meaning we turned some balls over and/or lost a lot of ground. On defence we were solid – using sliding defence and calling our man. (Of course it helped that the opposition were old men and couldnt run so fast).
Jean-Phi and Dan were impressive in the centers. Florian made some good yards with the ball in hand.

Our forwards secured a lot of turnovers meaning we had a lot of possession, however sometimes delivery to the backs was a bit messy allowing them to put pressure on us. Line outs were not so good, but difficult in the windy conditions (acceptable).

Things to work on:
If the pass is not on, hold the ball and set up a ruck – which means we need quick support there to retain possession.
Backs – on up and unders (high kicks) when we are defending – loud and decisive call for the ball. Maybe we can do some of this at training. Remember, the guy running forward should be calling (and catching) the ball.
Forwards – im sure there is something to work on, I will leave that up to Matt.

以上

Jeremy

AFRC v Zenkai Beers

Hi boys,
hope you got lots of energy during the long week end. Next game is vs Zenkai Beers and is scheduled with a 14:00 kick off this Sunday 18th.
We have the duty to set up the ground (refresh the lines, put the flags…), so let’s meet at 11h30 at Musashi Urawa Station, on the Saikyo Line.

AFRC vs Wild Turkeys – meeting at 10h30 at Yanokuchi Station

Hi team,
first, we will play this week at the Yanokuchi Ground, South West of Tokyo on the Tamagawa River, next to JR Yanokuchi Station on the JR Nanbu Line.
The ground (and other grounds we use regularly) are located on a special Google Map here
The map can be also be used to find the best way possible (click on “get directions” after you clicked on the ground name).

Meeting is at 10h30 at Yanokuchi Station, Kick off is at 12h30
2 ways to go:
1 /You can go through the Toyoko Line to Musashi Kosugi and change to the Nanbu Line
2/ From Shinjuku, get to Chofu on the Odakyu Line, then to Station Keio Indada Tsutsumi, then Yanokuchi

Match report: AFRC defeat Moccossu 24-14

Good start for the AFRC rugby team with a convincing victory: 24-14
1st game of the Shuto League under a burning sun for 20 players of the ALL FRANCE Rugby team playing against the Moccossu.
Team players:
Props: Dominique and Joe,
Hooker: Kousuke,
Locks: Simon and Olivier,
Flankers: Laurent and Fabien,
Nr8 and captain: Matthieu
Scrum half: Teru,
Fly half: Graham,
Centers: Dan and Stephane,
Wingers: Little Alex and Romain,
Full Back: Yuji
Substitutes: Alex Miroux, Benoit, Nicolas, Andy, Cyril, Sanada-san
Score evolution:
7mns: AFRC 5-0 Try by Yuji – Conversion missed by Stephane
17mns: AFRC 5-7 Try by Moccossu – Converted
21 mns: AFRC 5-14 Try by Moccossu – Converted
34 mns: AFRC 12-14 Try Yuji – Converted by Fabien
Half time: 12-14
44 mns: AFRC 19-14 try Graham – Conversion by Graham
51 mns: AFRC 24-14 try Yuji – Conversion missed by Graham
Full time: 24-14
Comments from Matthieu ROSENBERG, captain and Bruno LEROY, coach
Strong start from AFRC who scored quickly.
But soon it appears that the Moccossu appeared fitter than us, and from the 15 mns to the 30 mns, the pressure was on us. Our opponents scored twice to lead by 14 to 5. Above all, no defense was present during the 2nd try.
Happily, we remained in contact by scoring a converted try just before the half time.
In the 2nd half, the AFRC forwards were impressive, playing on their feet and avoiding going on the ground, with several superb rolling and driven mauls on 10 metres and more. These actions put in ideal situation our backs. This pressure killed our opponents’ forwards and during the last 10 mns, it was not rare to see some of them lying on the ground, completely exhausted.
We noticed very few mistakes for a first game, proving that the last trainings started to pay off. We lost only 3 balls on our own launch at line outs. We played simply on our 1st jumper and Kousuke and Fabien were well synchronized. At scrum, despite Joe played tight head prop for the 1st time in his life, the scrum was strong and advanced several times, allowing plenty of time to Matthieu or Teru to play the ball properly. We lost only 2 balls on our own throw-ins.
But the most remarkable performance came from few commited faults: 10 penalties only were whistled agains us and even better, very few knock-on were whistled against us. Backs continue like that, this is a great effort.
Captain Matthieu did a good joob by signaling to the referee, several mistakes or faults from the other team such as no straight ball launches at line-out.
In term of discipline, we did not complained too much (except may be….. we do not mention his name, he will recognize him), and we respected the decisions of the referee (who made probably some mistakes, but evenly shared on each side). Unfortunately, we had to deplore that Joe got a yellow card, 5mns before the end of the game. On our point of view, it was a little bit harsh despite there was a fault. Remember, guys to behave. Do not do stupid things, Think!!!!
Finally, we would add that we need to train together to erase these small mistakes and to improve our physical conditions. If you can, please come to the trainings on each Thursday evening.
Today, all the team was good but we must confess that we were impressed by Kousuke for his several runs with the ball and good protection and the 3 rd rows, Matthieu, Laurent and Fabien which were supportive both in defense and attack, Graham who alternated well the game by passing or kicking the ball, Yuji for his excellent attacking and defense skills and Nicolas who deserves to play more next time, for his 2 to 3 excellent clear and sharp tackles. And lastly, the good surprise came from Cyril.
Also, we would like, and we are sure you will join us, to say thank you and to wish all the best for those who will leave us soon: Graham, and Romain. See you soon!
Next game on Sunday 4th October against the Wild Turkeys.Write it on your agenda.
See you on Thursday evening from 7PM at Shin Okubo.
Bruno Matthieu
Manager and coach Captain

Shuto league kicks off this weekend!

Hi boys,
this Sunday is the first game of the Shuto League for All France: we are meeting the fearsome Moccossu in Akigase Ground (saitama). It is time to see if all this training will finally pay off.

Please note that all our Shuto games will be held at Akigase.

Let’s meet at JR Musashi Urawa Station (Saikyo Line from Shinjuku) at 12h00. New players, injured players are welcome to join, we will share a beer afterwards.

As usual, mail me with Yes/No/Maybe if you are available for the day.
Finally, for inspiration, take a look at the Top Ten tries in the French championship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsFzC1pyx6M

See you there.

Matt ROSENBERG

Program of the Shuto League- Save the date !!!

Hi team,
In Sept, we start the Shuto League, the most important competition for us, with 5 games that we can win. This year, no big gun forced to start in second division, every team can be beat so no excuses for losers.
Last year, we started good and finish miserably by a forfeit. This year, no way.

So take your Google Agenda / Ipod / Blackberry / paper agenda, and mark these days with red ink.

Day	Event	Location	Infos
13 Sept 2009	AFRC vs Moccosu	Akigase	KO 14h00
04 Oct 2009	AFRC vs Wild Turkeys	TBA	TBA
18 Oct 2009	AFRC vs Zenkai	Akigase	KO 14h00
01 Nov 2009	AFRC vs Dandelions	Akigase	KO 15h20
08 Nov 2009	AFRC vs Urayasu Beers	Akigase	KO 15h20

See you in trainings.

Matt ROSENBERG