it wasn't such a bad test for Oaks and certainly was very useful. We didn't played abroad from some years, especially in June and they said after the game the humidity was difficult to cope with.
I think the match was won by Japan early mainly because of our fullback who was simply not up to the necessary level for a test match which made other players (e.g Surugiu) to try to cover in his place which left first defensive line without sweeper at times which created one or two tries for Japan. Stratila (21 yo) had some good moments but most of the time he made so many errors that his colleagues lost their confidence and didn't felt secure with him there. I was worried before the game because he was far of the form he showed one year ago and he didn't deserve this chance and imo Simionescu (ex-U20) would have deserved this chance considering his Super Liga matches, imo he's clearly better, or in form, than Stratila now who first have to regain his form. Poor decision by staff, they had few better options there and it was a poor and unjustified decision as they could have picked any other option, a young one as Simionescu or a more experienced player like Conache who won the final of Super Liga for Timisoara.
Second half was much better for Oaks and I do think Japan have to sort their pack because they will be punished by refs vs better teams for their cynical approach, they could have had another yellow. The way they refused to scrum was left unpunished unfortunately. Should Oaks' pack started to bully them from the beginning, the outcome could have been very different and they showed that backline can be dangerous as well.
However, considering that we didn't played abroad in last 9 years (or more I think but 9 Nations Cups) this is a good start against a team not full strength but which felt the need of experienced players from RWC 2015 to be called up.
