LIVE: All Blacks kick off end-of-season tour against Japan
The All Blacks and Japan have traded early tries to be locked 7-all after 13 minutes in Yokohama.
The Kiwis have made the trip to Asia as they prepare for a jam-packed schedule that includes matches against England, Ireland, France and Italy.
Watch every game of the Wallabies Spring Tour live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu skippers the side for the first time as coach Scott Robertson rotates his side.
They face a familiar foe in Eddie Jones, who continues his rebuild of the Brave Blossoms.
Japan are coming off a runners-up finish in the Pacific Nations Cup and are looking to recapture the form that saw them nearly defeat the New Zealanders in their last match-up in 2022.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM 4:50 PM IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
13': Kiwis starting to control the game through their kicking game, forcing a pair of Japanese mistakes
12': ALL BLACKS TRY: Wallace Sititi rips the ball free for the turnover and Mark Tele'a does what he does best, beating three defenders for the try in the corner 7-all
11': All Blacks back on the attack but again handling and a loose offload halt their momentum
7': The Kiwis are given a chance to strike back after a forward pass by the hosts from inside Japan's 22, but they drop it from the first phase
5': JAPAN TRY: Just like that, Japan punish the Kiwis for some poor ruck defence as winger Jone Naikabula powers through the defence, riding the tackle and placing it down for the opener Japan 7-0
4': Shaky start by the All Blacks. Start with a not-straight lineout and now kick it out on the full just outside their 22. They relieve their line after a poor choice to chip kick by Japan 15 metres out.
2': Adventurous start by the hosts as they spread to find lock Sanaila Waqa, but his ball back inside is dropped as they enter the 22.
KICKOFF: Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the All Blacks taking on Japan. Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, patron of Japanese Rugby has shaken the hands of both teams, with the All Blacks' haka met with a warm, but polite applause.
Japan 7
Tries: Naikabula
Cons: Tatekawa 1/1
New Zealand 7
Tries: Tele'a
Cons: McKenzie 1/1
ALL BLACKS v JAPAN TEAMS
Japan: 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki, 14 Jone Naikabula, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Nicholas McCurran, 11 Malo Tuitama, 10 Harumichi Tatekawa (c), 9 Shinobu Fujiwara, 8 Faulua Makisi, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 6 Amato Fakatava, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Sanaila Waqa, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Takato Okabe
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Takayoshi Mohara, 18 Opeti Helu, 19 Epineri Uluiviti, 20 Kanji Shimokawa, 21 Taiki Koyama, 22 Tomoki Osada, 23 Takuro Matsunaga
New Zealand: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 4 Sam Darry, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 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
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry and Reuben Keane (Australia)
TMO: Damon Murphy (Australia)
HOW TO WATCH ALL BLACKS v JAPAN
The All Blacks' clash with Japan will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 4:00 pm with kickoff expected at 4:50 pm.
