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Watch: Japan's next global superstar nobody knows about

Hosea Saumaki is a relatively unknown name in global rugby- however, we think that will change in the near future.

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Nicknamed ‘The Tongan Godzilla’, Saumaki has been coming through their system for a number of years and is now destroying opposition in the Japanese Top League. The gigantic winger is in the similar mould to other iconic left wingers like Lomu, Nadolo and Savea.

It looks like Japan has now got their own version.

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R
RedWarriors 5 hours ago
'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

I am not really sure how this tour benefits France beyond showing NZ ways to beat them. They already know how to beat NZ.

Ireland won a series there in 2022 which prompted a year long shift in strategy to specifically beat Ireland. This was confirmed recently by Will Jordan.

Winning tight matches isn’t necessarily about psychology. It’s about having weapons to get over the line. For SA that was a scrum to win penalties and a kicker to either kick the penalty over or down the line if a try is needed. See SA v England in 2023 SF.

England used their jacklers to win penalties to get them deep into the 22 a couple of times late against France. Ireland improvised with drop kicks to win versus SA.

NZ spent decades fretting over choking in RWCs. Their strategy was often to develop such an outstanding team that pressure wouldn’t come into it. All they needed to do (France 99, 07) was to use some of their prep to learn how to neuter their opponents.

NZ have learned that lesson well and it should have gotten them a RWC win in ‘23 after knocking Ireland out. They will do the same against France or attempt to.

It doesn’t matter with SA v NZ because those teams are set up to beat/not lose against each other.

I don’t see NZ whipping the French second string and there is no benefit in showing NZ their hand.

I don’t agree with the image of International Rugby or respect comment. International Rugby should put all their focus on expanding the game (Tier 2) which was the supposed purpose of a RWC not as a status symbol for Tier1As.

No offense to Marshall and NZ, but if they demand respect they should give some too. Ireland certainly were not respected after their 22 series win and France won’t be either.

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