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nations-championship
Will Joseph on his full-length debut ran riot as England warmed up to host New Zealand at Allianz Stadium by storming to a record 78-15 victory over Eddie Jones’ Japan.
A week after rooting Australia in style, England clicked again despite making 10 personnel changes in a 13-try demolition in which man-of-the-match Joseph netted five times to equal the national record.
Steve Borthwick branded the clash as a World Cup audition for his stars and it was explosive Gloucester the winger who stole the show in his second game, four years after winning his first.
That puts him in pole position to replace the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso vs All black people next Saturday when England will potentially be playing for a place in the league Nations Championship finally because their autumn renewal continues.
Max Ojomoh, another World Cup hope, also disappointed Japan were punished mercilessly for not turning up in defense and failing to deliver on any of the promises made by Jones, their former England boss.
Traps, chaos and unusual rugby never materialized as the Brave Blossoms served in training and were a shadow of the team that lit up the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
Jones wore a grimace for much of the game and Japan look set to add a third upset to the action the weekend after France and Wales had their scripts ripped up in 60 seconds when Joseph exploded through three attempts to start the charge.
Adding to the visitors’ nightmare, second-row Harry Hockings was booked for a dangerous tackle on Ellis Genge.
Within half an hour Joseph already had enough finishes for the headlines, although he was able to shine through the genius of his midfield overseen by George Ford, with full-back Freddie Steward also showing enterprise.
England’s every touch turned to gold as the avalanche of points continued, even if the decision to kick for the posts seemed out of step with the events on the pitch, the whistles and the confused look from Genge.
The dominance extended to the aerial battle with strikes from Ford and Steward giving Joseph two tries and Steward also crossing as Japan struggled to contain the waves of attack.
Genge went wild after snapping the ball at speed and there was an attempted maul for Ben Earl, but England were on the deadliest goal with Cadan Murley on the end of another clever move.
Japan went through Warner Dearns towards the end of the first half and their second Opeti Helu in the 47th minute was a classy try enabled by a quick ball in a more competitive third quarter.
But George Martin struggled and Joseph picked up an interception for his fifth try, although Luke Cowan-Dickie was in the sin bin for a foul.
Ben Curry, Marcus Smith and Greg Fisilau completed the fest with a relentless England that kept their foot on the floor until the end.