Early blow for Japan

New Zealand-born lock Justin Ives is set to miss Japan's World Cup opener against France after aggravating a knee injury.

Kiwi-born lock out of opening match with knee injury

New Zealand-born lock Justin Ives is set to miss Japan's World Cup opener against France after aggravating a knee injury. Ives hurt the knee in a warm-up loss to Italy in Cesena on August 13 and missed the home win over the United States a week later. As soon as the team arrived in New Zealand he tweaked the same knee and the player now expects to miss Saturday's match at North Harbour Stadium. It is "unbelievably frustrating," he said Wednesday. "I would have loved to play in the first game so I'm gutted." Ives got as far as Otago's second-string team in New Zealand, then was attracted by former All Black Tony Brown to sign with Panasonic in 2008. He helped Panasonic win the All-Japan Championship this year. Japan coach John Kirwan approached Ives, who qualified for Japan on three years' residency, and has played in eight of their nine Tests this year. Now he's hoping to recover in time to meet New Zealand in Hamilton next Wednesday.