The Japan rugby team are hoping to put their best performance against USA in the Pacific Nations Cup – winner take it all clash at the ANZ Stadium, Suva on Saturday.

Fresh from their 41-7 win over Tonga in Osaka last Saturday night, captain Michael Leitch says, it’s about lifting their performance to another level.

Leitch whose mum hails from Ra, said that they want to play well against USA before they face South Africa and then turn their attention to the bigger big picture, which is the Rugby World Cup.

“We’re doing very well with our preparations for the World Cup,” he said.

“We have been together since February and some of us have been coming in and out of Sunwolves.

“We last won the Pacific Nations Cup in 2011 and if we win this game it will be after 8 years. But the bigger picture is to win in the World Cup and so this is part of the process.

“We are hoping to put our best performance out there. We played two games so far and we just going to build on that before we face South Africa and then to the World Cup,” he added.

Assistant coach Tony Brown said they have prepared well and are looking forward to play USA.

“It has been a long journey for us and we are looking forward to the match. There are no injuries with the boys. We are looking for a good match this Saturday.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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