- Strong Start by Japan: The Brave Blossoms kept pace in the first quarter, with tries from Jone Naikabula and Faulua Makisi, trailing only 14-12 after 20 minutes.
- All Blacks Take Control: New Zealand’s powerful lineup pulled ahead with tries from Billy Proctor, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Pasilio Tosi, and Tamaiti Williams, leading decisively by halftime.
- Cam Roigard Extends Lead: The All Blacks continued their momentum early in the second half as Roigard scored, maintaining pressure on Japan.
- Ruben Love’s Debut Impact: Love scored two tries in the final 37 minutes, adding to New Zealand’s dominant position.
- Japan’s High-Tempo Strategy: Under Eddie Jones, Japan’s aggressive approach and early pressure tested New Zealand’s defensive stability.
- New Zealand’s Second-Half Slowdown: The All Blacks’ intensity waned briefly, allowing Japan a third try through Opeti Helu.
- Key Players Shine: Damian McKenzie controlled play from fly-half, while Proctor and Sititi’s performances helped extend the All Blacks’ lead.
- Final Score: New Zealand clinched the game with a 64-19 victory, showcasing their depth and adaptability on the field.
The Japan Rugby Team, affectionately known as the Brave Blossoms, delivered a determined start in their recent clash against New Zealand, showcasing impressive skill in the first quarter. Tries by Jone Naikabula and Faulua Makisi kept Japan competitive early on, bringing them within two points, trailing 14-12 after just 20 minutes of play.
However, as the game progressed, the All Blacks’ depth and strength came to the forefront. They built a commanding lead by halftime, with tries from Billy Proctor, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Pasilio Tosi, and Tamaiti Williams, adding to the earlier scores by Mark Tele’a and Patrick Tuipulotu. Despite a momentary lapse in the second half, where New Zealand’s intensity waned, they continued to dominate, maintaining their grip on the game.
Cam Roigard added another score shortly into the second half, keeping up the All Blacks’ aggressive play. But as the clock wound down, New Zealand’s consistency began to falter. The team crossed the line twice more in the final 37 minutes, courtesy of Ruben Love, who made a memorable debut with two well-executed tries.
In his team selection, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson opted for a less experienced lineup, leading to early challenges on both offense and defense. Japan, under Eddie Jones, came out with the intent to disrupt New Zealand’s flow by maintaining a high-paced game. New Zealand’s errors, such as Asafo Aumua’s inaccurate throw and Roigard’s ineffective box kick, allowed Japan to gain an early advantage.
Japan capitalized quickly, thrilling the home crowd as Naikabula broke through New Zealand’s defenses, sprinting through for a try. Yet, the All Blacks responded with resilience. Within 10 minutes, they were back in the lead; Tele’a scored on his return, followed by Tuipulotu, who bulldozed through defenders to add to New Zealand’s tally.
Despite their dominance, New Zealand’s defense was exposed again as Makisi scored an unopposed try. Japan almost narrowed the gap further when Warner Dearns seized an opportunity off a loose ball, showcasing impressive speed and agility. However, his potential try was disallowed, keeping New Zealand’s lead intact.
The All Blacks capitalized on a critical 10-minute spell where their offloads connected seamlessly, proving decisive in their favor. Damian McKenzie excelled at fly-half, guiding play with finesse, while Proctor and Wallace Sititi made impactful contributions that further distanced New Zealand from their opponents. During this spell, Proctor scored, followed by tries from Cane, Finau, and Tosi. Williams added to the tally, wrapping up a highly productive first half for New Zealand.
Starting the second half strong, Roigard broke through Japan’s defense, only for the game to become increasingly fragmented. The Brave Blossoms capitalized, adding a third try by Opeti Helu as the All Blacks struggled to maintain momentum.
Despite this brief setback, the All Blacks concluded the match on a high note. Love’s two late tries solidified a comfortable win for New Zealand, underscoring their control over the game’s latter stages.
