[No political comment allowed today.]
Japans coach John Kirwan was capped 63 times and scored 35 tries for the All Blacks.
The All Blacks kick the game off after a great Haka. There's a turnover at halfway and the speed and skill of the AB’s puts Conrad Smith in for the first easy try.
The AB’s obviously have size on their side.
The legend that is John Kirwan has done a great job coaching the Japanese team, who show early on that they are willing to play the AB’s at their own game.
A strict ref could make all the difference.
A strict ref could make all the difference.
Slade misses the conversion.
Japan are really looking to be a serious contender with a turnover close to the AB’s line giving them a rest from Japans pressure. That was lucky.
All blacks looking mean particularly down the left side. Quick hands put the speedster Richard Kahui in. Seems the AB”s are targeting that side.
Slade misses his second attempt. 12 ~ 0
Some silly penalties by the AB’s and quick plays by Japan might just give them a chance.
Japan’s not scared to front up, holding the AB’s at bay. Nice defense until Ma'a Nonu slices their defense in half to put Richard Kahui in the right spot.
Japan is did well to hold the AB’s out twice right on the line. Good pressure puts Jerome Kaino just over the line.
Slade misses his third. 17 ~ 0
Slade drops the ball at the kick off. Japan on attack down the short side, they look dangerous. It’s getting tough. The AB fords making some hard tackles. Japan retains the ball until a major AB’s trouncing turns the ball over.
The strict ref gives the ball to the AB’s after an incorrect feed. Scrums are getting annoying.
Ma'anonu slices through again, the balls kept in play with huge numbers on the left. Keven Mealamu in for the try.
No conversion. 24 ~ 0
Japan’s kick off fails to go 10 metres. The scrum collapses again. AB’s get penalty after scrum collapses
Conrad Smith slices through the middle, putting Andy Ellis in for the AB’s fifth.
No conversion. 31 ~ 0
A quick play, precision passing and fast running gets Collin Slade over the line.
No conversion... Slade? 38 ~ 0
AB’s looking dangerous again but a turnover and then half time.
Japan come out firing with Hirotoki Onozawa scoring the best try of the match. They're playing excellently with guts and determination.
Some more good straight forward rugby by the AB's and tries for Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu and Adam Thompson.
Sunny Bill Williams gets three excellent tries.
Sunny Bill Williams gets three excellent tries.
Japan annihilated in a great game 83 ~ 7.
