Japs versus Russia

Japan has imported half their side and should win comfortably. 

Hope Nigel's Russian is up to scratch.

Hi Pakie. Hope Russia does welland make a good match of it. 

Surprised Russia is not a big side. 

Hey Beeno. Good start by Russia.

What a mess by Japan as they fumble the high ball and Russia score. 

Nerves of Japs evident. 

Russia pack only 857 kg. 

Russia scores as Japan fluffs a speculative up and under in the most horrible fashion!

Russians shouldn't kick ball away. 

Yep, Japan will love every moment of that.

Japs score after good build up. 

Russia are going to struggle. 

Great try Japan, the wrap around to receive the offload creates the overlap.

Another speculative kick works out well for Russia, attacking line out.

Great break out by Russia. 

As commentators say Russians lack pace. 

They were one pass wide away from a score there after that kick behind the Japan lines.

Last 20 minutes will tell. 

But so far Russians hanging in there. 

Japan over, but dodgy grounding. No try.

Japs almost score out wide but lose control on touch down. 

This time they get it. Felt inevitable.

Now Japs do score after multiple phases. 

Score 12-7 to Japs. 

12-7 Japan, HT.

Russia doing okay but they definitely lack strike power.

Lots of heart from Russians. They are a nation with huge athletic abilities but their best are not playing rugby. 

Lappies scores. Ou maaaikie may have something to say about this!

Japs lead 20-7

Russians win scrum penalty after strong scrum. 

Desperate defence by Japs. Now Russian opt for a scrum after being awarded penalty. 5 meters out right of posts. 

Russia battling but can't get over. 

Lappies wins big turnover. Ou maAaAikie will have lots to say

Russia still on the attack and win penalty. 

Score 20 - 10 to Japs.

20 minutes to go. 

Russian defence has been unrelenting so far. Lots of character but will fitness now sink them.

How good is their bench. 

Fatigue really evident now as Japs score. 

That it. 

Russia would have scored but ball didn't stick!

They are still battling. 

Russians still putting in the tackles. 

Great touch finder and Russia on attack. 

Japs win by 20. Well done to the underdog Russia. 

Congrats to Mallet who predicted 20 point win. 

Jeremy Guscott predicted Japs would win by 45 points. 

Ou maaaikie just to say Lappies wasn't the difference between the two teams so don't go there please. 

Didn't see the second half, but glad the hosts got off to a winning start and that Russia was competitive.

I am very happy Beeno 

I picked Labuschagne  as a banker in my Fantasy teams and  he was top class.   Anyway in two tests Labuschagne made more meters in territory gain than Alberts made in 43 tests,  I give my opinion on the selection issue elsewhere.   .