Japan v Wales (2nd test)

Japan defied all expectations to push Wales to a three point winning margin in the first clash between the sides last week and on that display it defies belief that the same side can be given an 11 point handicap start and Japan can defy bookmakers expectations for the second week running against a similarly inexperienced Welsh side.

With every single first team player barring Dan Biggar on tour with the Lions after a second 6 Nations success which included a stunning victory over England, this tour was very much an exercise in youth for Robin McBryde and his men, who were expected to beat the Japanese easily by many, including yours truly here, but were actually pushed all the way to a three point victory.

 

The margin was much tighter than the great majority had expected, although a completely new side of debutants with only fractions of experience at test level in 30-degree heat did well to come through and win late in what in hindsight was a tougher task than expected.

Second best in pretty much every facet bar making some headway over the galinline during periods of the second half, some could argue that Wales were lucky to win, and with only a week having passed since it’s hard to imagine or be confident in a wide margin success to a side that has had four changes.

The presence of number eight/blindside flanker Andres Pretorius – who had a positive impact upon the game as a substitute last weekend and Josh Navadi, who has been one of the stars of what has been a lacklustre Blues’ season, should go a long way towards making Wales sharper when it comes towards the breakdown which in turn should give better attacking opportunities towards a backline which has plenty of talent – as well as the talent of Dan Biggar to steer and create. They could win by more than last week, but Japan belied a handicap of upto 16 points and there was nothing in the Welsh performance that suggested that they were worth such heavy favouritism this week. Japan get a start of 11 with Sportingbet and they are well capable of pushing Wales all the way once again.

Advice

2 pts Japan +11 (10/11 Sportingbet)