the All Blacks defeated Japan 64-19 to begin their Northern tour At Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan missed 22 first-half tackles and let up 43 points, therefore the winner was decided before halfway.
With Japan bold and creative on attack and the All Blacks prone to mistakes, the game got off to a fast start. The hosts’ early territory was gifted by a Cam Roigard kick-out on the full and an incorrect lineout throw by Asafo Aumua.
When halfback Shinobu Fujiwara’s wonderful inside pass drew in two defenders and sent winger Jone Naikabula racing 25m clear for his eighth international try in the eighth minute, Japan took the lead. Naikabula received his education at Auckland’s Kelston Boys’ High School.
All Blacks vs Japan history
Played: 6
Won: All Blacks 6, Japan 0
Last time: All Blacks 38, Japan 31, 29 October 2022, National Stadium, Tokyo
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
All Blacks 64 Japan 19 Northern Tour Yokohama’s
After an outstanding first half blitz in which they scored seven tries, the Abs Rugby defeated Japan 64-19 to start their Northern Tour. Ruben Love scored a double late in his test debut, although the second half performance was a little disorganised.
When halfback Shinobu Fujiwara’s wonderful inside pass drew in two defenders and sent winger Jone Naikabula racing 25m clear for his eighth international try in the eighth minute, Japan took the lead. Naikabula received his education at Auckland’s Kelston Boys’ High School.
No. 8 Promising It was another barnstorming performance by Wallace Sitti. He tore the ball away from a Japanese attacker in the twelfth minute. Winger Mark Tele’a pushed past three tacklers to score his tenth try in 16 tests after the New Zealand threw possession wide.
Secure In his 47th international, Patrick Tuipulotu became the 82nd All Blacks test captain. He imitated Tele’a’s strength by storming over in the same corner in the fifteenth minute.
When Makisi was judged to have knocked the ball on in a thunderous tackle on Damian McKenzie, Japan’s third try was washed out. Warner Dearns, a workhorse lock, executed a speculative kick flawlessly, but Makisi’s error was caught by the television match official.
