Ono restored to Japan playmaker role for must-win Samoa match

Kosei Ono will fill the pivotal role of Japan's playmaker-in-chief for their crucial World Cup Pool B clash with Samoa on Saturday.
The 28-year-old fly-half is one of five changes made by coach Eddie Jones to the side that got a dose of reality, after their magnificent win over South Africa, in a 45-10 hammering by Scotland last week.
Ono was rested for the Scotland game after orchestrating the Japanese strategy in the 34-32 victory over the two-time world champions Springboks in Brighton. He replaces Harumichi Tatekawa who reverts to the centres.
The side will once again by captained by New Zealand-born flanker Michael Leitch.  
Kensuke Hatakeyama replaces Hiroshi Yamashita at tighthead, with the latter dropping to the bench.
Second-row Hitoshi Ono replaces Justin Ives, who is named as a replacement.
Ryu Koliniasi Holani starts at number eight with the impressive Amanaki Mafi, who was carried off against Scotland with a leg injury but has since been passed fit, named as one of two number eights on the bench.
Kotaro Matsushima switches wings to accommodate Akihito Yamada at the expense of Kenki Fukuoka, who does not make the matchday 23.
Ayumu Goromaru, the tournament’s leading scorer after the first half of the Pool stage, needs only 18 points to reach 700 international points.
It is Japan's most experienced side ever to play a World Cup match with 615 caps, 15 more than the team that took to the field in the  win over South Africa, the greatest upset in World Cup history.
Both sides need a win to stay in contention for a quarter-final spot, which would be an historic achievement for the 'Brave Blossoms'.
They are both on four points with two games remaining, six adrift of table-topping Scotland and three off the Springboks, who bounced back with an impressive 46-6 dismantling of Samoa last weekend.   
 
Team (15-1)
Ayumu Goromaru; Akihito Yamada, Male Sau, Harumichi Tatekawa, Kotaro Matsushima; Kosei Ono, Fumiaki Tanaka; Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Michael Broadhurst, Michael Leitch (capt); Hitoshi Ono, Luke Thompson; Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki  
Replacements: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami,  Hiroshi Yamashita, Justin Ives, Amanaki Mafi, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh
Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS)

Source: AFP