Japan rugby full of talent, warns Savea

ARDIE Savea has issued a warning to England not to underestimate Japan in the two side’s first ever meeting in Tokyo this summer.

- BEN JAYCOCK

The 2023 World Player of the Year is currently enjoying a sabbatical in Japan Rugby League One, plying his trade for Kobelco Kobe Steelers and the All Blacks talisman has been blown away by the quality of rugby in the country, especially in defence.

Japan head coach Eddie Jones goes up against his successor Steve Borthwick for the first time since his sacking in December 2022 and Savea has outlined two danger men from the Kobe Steelers, who may cause problems for England on June 22.

Savea told The Rugby Paper: “It’s going to be a good, interesting watch. England are world class as we all know but being here playing against some of the guys that are available for Japan, wow they can play! They can tackle, my legs have never been chopped so many times than they have over here in Japan. It’s going to be a really good game.

“There’s a few guys who can cause England problems. I compare our winger Kanta Matsunaga to the Cheslin Kolbe of Japan because he’s a little winger who is a freak on his feet. Seungsin Lee our 13 is a young player but is also a hell of a talent. There’s plenty more in other teams as well for England to be cautious of.”

Two weeks later England lock horns with New Zealand for a two-match Test series in Dunedin and Auckland.

While the 81-capped No.8, who has scored 25 international tries, admits to not taking in much of the Six Nations while in Japan, Savea says his troops must be wary of England’s forward pack.