All Blacks v Japan, Northern Tour, 6.50pm, Saturday, Yokohama
Game one of the Northern Tour as the All Blacks kick it off in Japan as Patrick Tuipulotu leads the side in Yokohama. Two years ago Japan got as close as they’ve come to upsetting the All Blacks, losing 38-31.
All Blacks v Japan history
Played – 5
All Blacks won – 5
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All Blacks points scored – 389
Japan points scored – 92
Biggest margin – 1995 All Blacks 145-17
Smallest margin – 2022 All Blacks 38-31
The All Blacks first faced Japan at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, producing their highest-ever score in a 145-17 thrashing in Bloemfontein. Marc Ellis scored a record six tries and Simon Culhane kicked 20 conversions. The sides did meet again for another 16 years, in another World Cup pool match in Hamilton. Since then the All Blacks have started a Northern Tour three times (2013, 2018, 2022) with a stop-off in Tokyo to face Japan. Two years ago Japan got as close as they’ve come to upsetting the All Blacks, losing 38-31. The Brave Blossoms were a try away from a stunning upset in the final moments, after Brodie Retallick had been sent off for a dangerous cleanout with 15 minutes to play.
All Blacks v Japan line-ups
All Blacks: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Sam Darry 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: 16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. David Havili, 23. Ruben Love
Japan: 1 Takato Okabe, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 4 Sanaila Waqa, 5 Warner Dearns, 6 Amato Fakatava, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 8 Faulua Makisi, 9 Shinobu Fujiwara, 10 Harumichi Tatekawa (c), 11 Maio Tuitama, 12 Nicholas McCurran, 13 Dylan Riley, 14 Joe Naikabula, 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki.
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Reserves: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Takayoshi Mohara, 18 Opeti Helu, 19 Epineri Uluiviti, 20 Kanji Shimokawa, 21 Taiki Koyama, 22 Tomoki Osada, 23 Takuro Matsunaga.
All Blacks v Japan form guide (last five tests)
All Blacks: W, W, L, L, W
Japan: L, W, W, W, L
All Blacks v Japan referee
Australian Jordan Way will referee the test between the All Blacks and Japan. It will be his first test in charge of the All Blacks but won’t be a new face to the players having been a Super Rugby referee since 2020. He has been referee for a Japan test previously, a 34-15 win over Uruguay in 2022.
All Blacks v Japan TAB odds
All Blacks: $1.01 Draw: $51 Japan: $13
All Blacks v Japan – how to follow the action
For live commentary of All Blacks v Japan, join Elliott Smith and Gregor Paul on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
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You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.
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