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Scores
JPN vs NZL
International Men's Rugby
Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Japan
vs
New Zealand
19
FT
64
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 19 - 64
That wraps things up from this one, but thanks for joining us on Tribe. This is Ryan NIxon (@NewYorkNixon) signing off.
In terms of which players stood up and staked their claims for some of the bigger games ahead for New Zealand, well it was another outstanding performance from Wallace Sititi, while Cam Roigard, Mark Tele'a, Billy Proctor, and Patrick Tuipulotu were strong. For Japan, Warner Dearns and Sanaila Waqa impressed, along with Faulua Makisi, Yoshitaka Yazaki and Dylan Riley. Plus, not many will forget the individual try from debutant prop, Opeti Helu.
The second half wasn't quite up to the same standard though, with mass changes leading to a disjointed game, full of errors and poor options. For a time it looked as though Japan might hold the All Blacks to a 7-7 second half draw, but a couple of late Ruben Love tries further inflated the margin. The All Blacks were perhaps a little guilty of just pushing too many passes and not finishing off their opportunities, but they also lost their discipline and accuracy across the board, leading to a frustrating performance.
So job done for the All Blacks in terms of scoreline, although performance wise I'm sure there will be a few questions asked regarding the second half. They were met initially by Japan coming out strongly, and indeed it was the home side who opened the scoring. But it didn't take too long in the first half for the All Blacks to establish control, with Japan unable to combat the powerful ball carrying. The Brave Blossoms fell off far too many tackles as Wallace Sititi, Asamo Aumua, Samipeni Finau, Mark Tele'a and company carried strongly, and the All Blacks were able to pile on the points to put the game away by halftime.
80+2'
McKenzie chips over to bring an end to this one.
80+2'
19-64 D. McKenzie
Conversion
80+1'
LOVE GETS A DOUBLE! Japan yet again cough the ball up trying to play inside their half, and Love swooped on the loose ball to gather up and run away to score.
80+1'
19-62 R. Love
Try
80'
Curious option from the All Blacks, after Japan had coughed up the pill following the scrum. Havili goes for a cross kick to the left wing, but there's nobody there and it's into touch. Time for the lineout.