Rennie’s four away Tests to date have been losses against the All Blacks, so fixing that winless record before clashes against Scotland at Murrayfield, England at Twickenham and Wales at Millennium Stadium will be an important milestone.

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“It’s a chance not only for us to build our game and see how we can grow and how we can develop there, but also play some different styles of rugby, put ourselves up against that and then play away from home,” Hooper said of the importance of the tour. “Which is so critical in Test footy.”

Rennie signalled his intentions for the clash with the Brave Blossoms by naming his best available side.

Hooper has missed just nine minutes of game time so far this season, completing the full 80 minutes in 10 of the 11 Tests, but putting his hand up for a rest did not cross the captain’s mind.

“By the time we play tomorrow, it’s three weeks since we last had a game,” he said.

“And the best way to stay match fit is to play. Be contact ready, and we know this game will be fast moving.

“The lungs are going to be burning early on in the game. We know that, and we’re comfortable with that. We have to push through and stay to our stuff.

“There was never a question about playing this game. Everyone was all hands on deck.”

As for the threat Japan poses, Hooper knows the style of play Jamie Joseph will employ better than most, having spent the first half of the year playing Top League rugby for Toyota Verblitz.

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“We know they’re a team that wants to get ball in play. So, from set piece, wanting to get ball in play and get moving,” Hooper explained.

“When we play teams like that, we need to be really solid around our defence, get connected and be alert to whatever could come, whatever they could bring.

“We have to make sure we’re good around contact, we’re good around how we slow their ball down.

“That will stop a lot of what they want to do.”

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