Nadroga-born Japan winger Jone Naikabula made an impactful start by scoring an early try in his team’s international test match against the All Blacks in Yokohama. Naikabula’s effort gave Japan a promising beginning; however, the New Zealand team, under the guidance of coach Scott Robertson, quickly retaliated. They scored seven tries in the first half and added three more in the second half, concluding the match with a convincing 64-19 victory.
Key players for New Zealand included lock and captain Patrick Tuipulotu, number eight Wallace Sititi, and winger Mark Tele’a. Fly-half Damian McKenzie excelled, successfully converting seven tries. Tele’a and Tuipulotu both scored shortly after Naikabula’s opening try.
Japan’s Faulua Makisi managed to narrow the score temporarily, but New Zealand responded decisively with tries from Billy Proctor, Sam Cane, and Samipeni Finau within an eight-minute span. Additional tries from Pasilio Tosi and Tamaiti Williams followed before halftime.
In the second half, Cam Roigard, returning to the team after injury, scored a try. Furthermore, Opeti Helu, making his debut for Japan, also crossed the line. All Blacks debutant Ruben Love rounded off the game with two tries in the final moments.
Looking ahead, the All Blacks will face England at Twickenham on November 2, followed by matches against Ireland, France, and Italy.
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