Eddies Brave Blossoms dont look like Rugby Championship prospects [Video]

Japan’s promotion into the Southern Hemisphere’s showpiece event looked like a no-brainer after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a win-win situation in which the likes of Australia would gorge on Japanese corporate support in return for helping Japan climb up the rankings.

But after Eddie Jones’ side were thrashed 64-19 by an understrength All Blacks side on Saturday, the Brave Blossoms are No 14 in the world and appear to be no chance of imminent inclusion into the Sanzaar club.

COVID-19 halted Japan’s momentum and Jones’ side on Saturday managed to look both off the standard required physically and over-reliant on imported Australians, New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders.

Jones is plotting ahead for the 2027 Rugby World Cup – smash and grab, the sequel – but Japan’s place in the global pecking order has looked uncertain in …