Sam Greene has adapted well – Neal Hatley

Japan XV acting head coach Neal Hatley has highlighted the need for Japan to build depth at fly-half and praised the work of newcomer Sam Greene who starts in the 10 jersey against the Maori All Blacks on Saturday.

Japan Rugby, who revealed earlier this week that forwards coach Neal Hatley would lead the team on Saturday, announced a new-look team on Thursday.

While Brave Blossoms head coach Eddie Jones focuses on the back-to-back Tests against Wales in July, Hatley addressed the team selection and goals for for the annual fixture at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.

“Winning is the priority, that's the number one point,” said the former Bath forwards coach.

“We want to build on last year. Last year we attacked very well but we want to improve our defence. It needs to be better. Building on our attack and stepping up in our defence is the key for us.  

Picture courtesy of JRLO

Brisbane-born fly-half Sam Greene, 30, who scored 144 points for surprise play-off package Shizuoka Blue Revs, recently qualified for Japan on residency grounds and gets a chance to shine on Saturday.

Former Queensland Reds prospect Greene has plied his trade in Japan since 2016 and his form at Toyota Shuttles saw him make the move to Shizuoka (then Yamaha Jubilo) where he was a teammate of Japan's famed former full-back Ayumu Goromaru.

Greene, who was limited to just six first-team appearances with Queensland in Super Rugby, forms a new half-back pairing with Suntory’s second-choice scrum-half Kenta Fukuda.

“Sam has been good since coming in to camp, said Hatley.  

“He’s adapted very well and had a good season with Shizuoka. We want him to take that form into this game.

“It’s an area (fly-half) for us where we want to continue to build depth. We also have Lee Seung-Sin from Kobe who started a lot of games for us last year.”

Japan’s youthful looking team features 21-year-old Meiji University student Jingo Takenoshita with their new prospects having the incentive of trying to force their way into Jones’ plans for the crucial Tests against Wales.

“We want to see which young players can step up,” added Hatley.

“We're excited about some of those young men coming through and this is a big opportunity for them.”