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Japan's rugby coach Eddie Jones studies geese for support play insights
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Japan's rugby coach Eddie Jones studies geese for support play insights

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Japan's rugby coach Eddie Jones is using unconventional methods, including studying videos of geese flying in formation, to improve team support play.
  • Jones believes the lead goose in a formation is analogous to the ball-carrier, with other geese needing to follow and support.
  • This approach comes after Japan's narrow loss to Australia, where support play was identified as an area for improvement.

Modern sports often demand innovative thinking, but Japan's maverick rugby coach Eddie Jones has taken an unusual approach by studying videos of geese flying in formation to enhance his team's support play.

The reason we watch videos of geese is that the head of the flock is like the ball-carrier. The ball-carrier is king, and then everyone else has got to follow after that.

— Eddie JonesJapan's rugby coach explaining his unusual training method inspired by geese.

Jones, an Australian, is preparing his side to face the Wallabies in Townsville on Saturday. He explained his reasoning behind the unconventional video sessions: "The reason we watch videos of geese is that the head of the flock is like the ball-carrier," Jones said. "The ball-carrier is king, and then everyone else has got to follow after that." He elaborated that just as geese fly thousands of miles in formation, following the leader, support players must respond to the ball-carrier's actions.

The geese fly hundreds, thousands of miles in formation and they follow the one goose in front, and it's the responsibility of the support players to respond to what the ball-carrier does.

— Eddie JonesCoach Eddie Jones further elaborating on the analogy between geese formation and rugby support play.

While the method might seem eccentric, Jones has built a reputation as a coach willing to explore all avenues for success. This strategy comes after Japan suffered a narrow 35-32 loss to Australia in Osaka last weekend. Jones identified his team's support play as a key area of concern following that match.

We're very disappointed to lose the last game, so the most important thing now is how we take on this game.

— Eddie JonesJapan's coach reflecting on the previous loss to Australia and looking ahead to the next match.

"We're very disappointed to lose the last game, so the most important thing now is how we take on this game," Jones stated. "We have set ourselves the task of really taking it to Australia this week." The team's focus on improving support play, inspired by the synchronized flight of geese, underscores Jones's commitment to finding any possible edge against their opponents.

We have set ourselves the task of really taking it to Australia this week.

— Eddie JonesCoach Eddie Jones expressing his team's determination for the upcoming game against Australia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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