JK to coach Japan

January 13th, 2007 by f32dream

Former Italy boss and All Blacks legend John Kirwan has signed a two-year deal to coach Japan.The arrangement will see the World Cup-winning All Black steer Japan through this year’s much-anticipated tournament in France.
Among the sides listed in Japan’s group are Australia, Fiji, Wales and Canada.However, Kirwan will not be new to the role as he already knows a number of players in the Japan squad after a spell as the team’s technical advisor.”We are determined to do our best to win all the matches in the World Cup,” Kirwan told Planetrugby.com.Kirwan replaces Jean-Pierre Elissalde at the helm after he was sacked by the Japanese Rugby Union for taking up a post with Bayonne concurrent to his role as coach of Japan.