All Blacks Once Again Prove Too Strong For Brave Blossoms
When the All Blacks came to Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Saturday, 26 October to play Japan, it was a chance to exorcise the demons of their last visit to the stadium where they succumbed to an Eddie Jones coached England in their Semi-Final at Rugby World Cup 2023.
While Japan had happier memories of their last game in Yokohama, a 28-21 win over Scotland in their final RWC2019 pool match, they were chasing a more elusive prize on the weekend – their first ever win over the mighty All Blacks in their eighth attempt.
In front of 60,057 spectators, the early signs for Japan were bright. In just the fifth minute, winger Jone Naikabula scored a stunning try where he ghosted through the thick of the All Blacks’ defence, busting through two cover tackles to dot down over the line. The Kiwis struck back soon after with two tries in quick succession, however the Brave Blossoms kept
on coming, scoring their second try through a close-range effort by barnstorming number eight, Faulua Makisi.
Japan capped off their first 20 minutes with what looked to be a stunning breakout try to second rower, Warner Dearns. Following closer inspection by the TMO, the ball was adjudged to have gone forward off Japan in the preceding tackle, and the try was disallowed. It was from this point that Japan’s concentration lapsed, and the All Blacks pounced. They scored 29 unanswered points in the remainder of the first half to go into the
sheds at half time with a commanding 12-43 lead.
While Japan were able to limit the All Blacks scoring to just 21 points in the second half, the damage was already done. A final score of 19-64 pointed to a hard, bruising day in the office for a Brave Blossoms side well beaten by the three-time World Champions. One second half bright spot was the try on debut to replacement prop, Opeti Helu. The 127-kilogram Kubota Spears wrecking ball has a knack for finding the tryline and will likely add this his first test cap on the upcoming tour to Europe.
Commenting during the post-match press conference, Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones said:
“It wasn’t the result we were looking for but if you look at it in the context of the game, and break the game into quarters, we had a really bad second 20 minutes where we conceded 29 points.
“I think unfortunately for a young team, they saw the scoreboard go up – Japan 19, New Zealand 14. The try was rightfully taken away, but emotionally we didn’t cope with that and in the next 20, our attention to detail dropped off and then the match was gone.
“I’m really proud with the effort of the players, but we’ve got to learn that emotional control, to keep staying in the game and to not let the game get away. We’ve got a lot to learn, and we’ve got to learn it quickly.”
In his post-match comments, All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said:
“I thought the test match had everything. Japan’s start was superb. They wanted to play fast rugby, and they did. The played extremely fast and held onto the ball. For us there were some great aspects in that first half, and we defended for long periods in the second half.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the strong result and with having no injuries.”
Following the match in Yokohama, the Brave Blossoms begin their final preparations for their three-match, end of year tour to Europe where they will face France in Paris on Saturday, 9 November, and Uruguay in Chambéry, France, on Saturday, 16 November. Their final match of 2024 will mirror their first fixture of the year, with a return match against
England in London on Sunday, 24 November.
Japan Rugby 2024 Future Match Schedule
Saturday, 9 November
France vs Japan
Stade de France, Paris
Saturday, 16 November
Japan vs Uruguay
Chambéry Savoy Stadium, Chambéry, France
Sunday 24 November
England vs Japan
Allianz Stadium, London