The Pom you want to hate will be a star for Lions
Eddie Jones' Japan XV side were smashed 53-20 by the Māori All Blacks in Tokyo on Saturday, an ominous side before Japan's two-Test series against Wales starts next weekend. Former Reds No 10 Sam Greene made his first start for Japan after becoming eligible and enjoyed a bright first half, but Japan's defence was poor in the second half and the Māori ran in a total of nine tries. The problems that were evident for Japan in Jones' first year in charge last year were still there on Saturday, and unless they can find a few more gears physically they will be in trouble against the Welsh, despite the Six Nations side's own form woes. Jones didn't play his big guns against the Māori, but it was still a poor display in front of a healthy home crowd against a side with eight debutants and just one week of preparation. Meanwhile, the Springboks hammered a reasonable-looking Barbarians side 54-7 in Cape Town with a performance of pace and power. Watch out New Zealand, these Springboks are coming for that Eden Park winning streak.
Wallabies can already start preparing for this backline
Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen will start the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane, with only the fullback position looking particularly contestable between Elliot Daly, Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan.
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It was clear in Perth that the Irish contingent are understandably more comfortable with coach Andy Farrell's style of play, with No 13 Ringrose the key man defensively with his line speed. Schmidt won't mind that tactic, particularly with Len Ikitau or Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii good enough or strong enough to take the hit from Ringrose and get the ball wider or beat him with footwork. The defensive issues that prevented Lowe from being an All Black also pop up sporadically, so there will be opportunities for the Wallabies if they are good enough. On the flipside, Russell's quick hands were a joy to watch in Perth - he really does belong among the elite in the terms of the deception he can offer at the line.
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