All Blacks vs Japan: All You Need to Know Ahead of Saturday’s Clash
As part of their highly anticipated Northern Tour, Scott Robertson’s All Blacks are set to face off against Japan’s Brave Blossoms this Saturday in Yokohama at 6:50 pm. While the All Blacks are favorites, the Brave Blossoms have shown they’re more than capable of putting up a fight, especially in recent years. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
A Brief History of All Blacks vs Japan
The two teams have met five times in total, with the All Blacks holding a perfect record of five wins. Historically, the All Blacks have dominated this fixture, but Japan has narrowed the gap in recent years.
- Total matches played: 5
- All Blacks wins: 5
- All Blacks points scored: 389
- Japan points scored: 92
- Biggest margin of victory: 1995, All Blacks 145-17
- Smallest margin of victory: 2022, All Blacks 38-31
The first clash between these two teams took place at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in Bloemfontein, where the All Blacks put on a record-breaking performance. The match ended with a 145-17 win for New Zealand, with Marc Ellis scoring six tries and Simon Culhane kicking a record 20 conversions. This remains the All Blacks’ highest-ever score in a match.
After that World Cup encounter, the teams didn’t meet again for 16 years, when they clashed in a 2011 Rugby World Cup pool match in Hamilton. Since then, the All Blacks have used Japan as a key stop on their Northern Tour, playing in Tokyo in 2013, 2018, and 2022.
A Close Call in 2022
The most recent matchup between these sides came in 2022, when Japan came tantalizingly close to pulling off a stunning upset. The All Blacks narrowly won 38-31, with Japan just one try away from a historic victory in the final moments. That performance signaled Japan’s growing strength on the global stage, as the Brave Blossoms continue to prove they are a team that can compete with the world’s best.
What to Expect on Saturday
Scott Robertson’s men will be looking to make a statement in Yokohama, especially after their close call two years ago. However, Japan’s fast-paced, attacking style of rugby will challenge the All Blacks defense, particularly in front of their home crowd.
With the Northern Tour kicking off, this game will be an important momentum-builder for New Zealand as they prepare to face tougher opposition in the weeks ahead. For Japan, this is another chance to show that they belong among the world’s top rugby nations.
Stay tuned for full coverage and post-match analysis here on TryTime News as the All Blacks take on Japan in what promises to be an exciting clash in Yokohama.
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.
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.
