All Blacks fully stretched by Japan before winning 38-31

Didn’t see the game but by all accounts I’ve read so far this all blacks team was a real let down today. I feel for the fans who would have been expecting much higher caliber of players than what they saw today. It’s not good for the game when one team runs rampant over another, but it’s equally bad for the game when a team falls far below what is expected.

I don't think NZ are really much worse than they were before, New Zealanders will tell you they are, but I think many top tier teams are playing at a much higher level now. It's great to see Ireland, France, England stepping up.

Japan are a superb team and their tackling today was ferocious and brilliant. They might now win many against the other top teams but they sure do cause them some real pain & trouble.

I support two national teams. England and whomever are playing NZ.

great to watch this international game. NZ need more work before WC23. please please take off masks in the stadiums or when outside..

Saw the match. Some sloppy mistakes by New Zealand gave Japan those two tries in the first half.

While the TMO review of the tackle on Himeno when he scored was replayed, it actually looked like he had lost control of the ball but they were looking at the tackle instead. Before that the ref had ruled a double movement by All Black number 10 which seemed rather dubious.

It made for a good contest though and the Japanese audience would have enjoyed the match. Much better than a blowout score.

This was not an A-team starting lineup from New Zealand, I presume.

An interesting game.

New Zealand controlled the match and I'm not sure the writer was actually at the game. And this was what, New Zealand's third or fourth team?

One thing that grates is that Japan don't have so many Japanese players, which is very strange. Dylan Riley playing for Japan? Why?

As for all the masks, what on earth is wrong with you, Japan?

it’s equally bad for the game when a team falls far below what is expected.

Didn't you read the news that quite a few players didn't make the trip due to injury or other emergencies? I don't know their team well but understand some of their best players were among the injured.

I wish I saw the game but the Japan Series takes priority for me.

I was at the game and there was only one replay on the big screen during the TMO review and I couldn't hear the officials' discussion. I was puzzled as to why they went back to check that as the conversion had been taken and I thought they were checking what was a clear knock on. A try can't be reviewed after the conversion, but potential foul play can.

They mentioned there is a new law, in can now be reviewed after the conversion if the TMO has evidence…..

One thing that grates is that Japan don't have so many Japanese players, which is very strange. Dylan Riley playing for Japan? Why?

All teams have this... New Zealand historically have been the masters of recruiting South Pacific Islanders to play for the AB's, Tongans, Samoans, Fijians.

I remember when England had a Welsh scrum half and Wales had an English 9.

Scotland have Saffas playing for them, Ireland have New Zealanders, etc, etc.

They all qualify to play for the respective countries though.

Good result for the "international 15" . They even managed to field 12 Japanese in the squad of 23.

Are you talking about ethnic Japanese? Or are you saying that it's disappointing that non ethnic Japanese citizens can play for Japan?

About 3/4 of the touring squad are ethnic Japanese. Others have Japanese blood and others are naturalized Japanese citizens.

This happens in most other rugby nations teams too, often to a larger extent.

Japan have just bent the rules. If they didn't have any foreign players, they'd be hopeless.

The other teams you mentioned would still be decent if they had their foreign players taken away.

Why are the All Blacks called all blacks ? Is it because of the colour of their shirts & pants?

Are you talking about ethnic Japanese? Or are you saying that it's disappointing that non ethnic Japanese citizens can play for Japan?

About 3/4 of the touring squad are ethnic Japanese. Others have Japanese blood and others are naturalized Japanese citizens.

This happens in most other rugby nations teams too, often to a larger extent.

It is correct. International Rugby rules are flexible with foreigners..

Why are the All Blacks called all blacks ? Is it because of the colour of their shirts & pants?

In 1905, the New Zealand rugby team undertook a 33-game tour in Europe.. They won 31 of those matches, showing overwhelming superiority. A team game that an English journalist wanted to define as "All Backs" (all three-fourths), making a mistake when writing it, leaving the term "All Blacks" for posterity. Although there is also a theory that this nickname is due to the black uniform used by the New Zealand team..

Brilliant running rugby by both teams - razzle dazzle stuff and breathless tries- and as I predicted the Brave Blossoms gave the ABs the fight of their lives! Japan has really announced herself as one of the top rugby nations on earth.

Well done to both teams!

Japan have just bent the rules. 

No they haven't.

Japan have just bent the rules. If they didn't have any foreign players, they'd be hopeless.

Nope. Japan is selecting players by the rules. Foreign players must reside in Japan for 3 years first to qualify for the Brave Blossoms. Same as in other nations. Australia, for example, import a lot of Fijians, Tongans, Samoans and Kiwis for their Wallaby team, since the local talent is just not there. Usually 1/3 to 1/2 of the Wallaby team are Foreign born. It's within the rules.

Didn't you read the news that quite a few players didn't make the trip due to injury or other emergencies? I don't know their team well but understand some of their best players were among the injured.

I did see that. I’m still sticking to my point. Three years ago the all blacks were touring the world with a team in America, a team playing in the UK, and still two or three good options for selection in most positions. Now they can barely put up a good second team when a few of their top players are out? I want Japan to face a top team so they can truly see how they stack up. Australia A was a better indicator of where Japan is than this all blacks team, but it did show NZ not to expect too much from the all blacks in their northern tour or even from France next year.

They have done this year, in fact they put in a massive shift against the best team in the world a couple of weeks on the trot, and caused them some serious pain and trouble.