Japan vs. New Zealand result, highlights and analysis as All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in Tokyo

New Zealand won 38-31 in Tokyo. It was the first match of the 2022 end-of-year tour. Brodie Retallick was sent off for an illegal clear-out. Richie Mo'unga kicked all five conversions and a penalty. Takuya Yamasawa scored his own try and Yutaka Nagare's. He also kicked a try, a conversion and two penalties. Warner Dearns and Kazuki Himeno scored for Japan. Seung-sin Lee also converted the scores. Ian Foster's men held on to win.

All Blacks showed some good passages of play and individual skill throughout the game but were second-best for much of it. Coach Ian Foster will need to address these issues ahead of his side's remaining fixtures.

All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in Tokyo. Japan put on a show for their home fans and very nearly overcame the All Blacks. Brave Blossoms will play England and France in Europe.

All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in Tokyo. The Sporting News followed the match live.

Yamasawa, Nagare, Dearns, Himeno, Retallick, Ennor, Reece, Clarke, Sotutu, Lee and Mo'unga score tries for Japan.

Japan beat New Zealand 31-38 in rugby union test in Tokyo. Scotland play Australia later at Murrayfield. All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in the match. New Zealander coach Ian Foster's side need to improve quickly if they're to be successful in their rest- of the end of year tests.

New Zealand and Japan are playing a rugby match. New Zealand took the lead with tries from Ennor and Reece. Japan scored tries to Clarke, Nakamura, Nagare and Yamasawa. The game was tied at 17-17 at half-time. Japan won the game. It's a tight contest going into the second half. Mo'unga and Mo'ta are the only players to score tries for New Zealander. They are also the most successful in the match, with Mo’ungas conversions. Yam asawa and Nagares scored for Japan. He also converted his own try.

Japan and New Zealand are playing a rugby match in Tokyo. The game is underway. The All Blacks have the advantage after Japan are penalised for a forward pass.

Both sets of players sing their anthems. All Blacks' haka is performed in 5 minutes to go.

10 minutes to kick off, the sides are preparing for the national anthems.

Japan and New Zealand are playing a rugby match in Tokyo. All Blacks won the first match of their end-of-year tour.

Japan and New Zealand are playing a rugby match in Tokyo. New Zealander team is much changed, but still has plenty of flair and experience. Japan have named a strong team featuring plenty in attack.

All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in Tokyo. Japan lost to France in July. Brave Blossoms also face England and France on their own European tour.

All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with a close victory in Tokyo. They will play Wales, Scotland and England on their month-long tour of Europe.

All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in Tokyo. Rugby's Southern Hemisphere powerhouses travel north.

Japan take on New Zealand in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Japan beat New Zealand in the first match of the end-of-year tour in Tokyo.

Japan and New Zealand are playing rugby union internationals in Tokyo on October 29th. The last match between the two sides finished 69-31 in New Zealander's favour. New Kiwis won the Rugby Championship by a single point.

Ian Foster's side lost to Argentina for the first time on home soil during the tournament. The match is the fifth in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2022 series. Japan beat Uruguay twice before suffering two defeats to France in previous four games.

Japan host New Zealand at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, October 29 at 6.50 a.m. BST.

Japan vs. New Zealand is not broadcast or streamed live in the UK.

All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in Tokyo. All matches in the Autumn Nations Series will be streamed via Stan Sport in Australia.

Japan and New Zealand are on an end-of-year tour. New Zealander's team won in Tokyo.

All Blacks begin end-of-year tour with close victory in Tokyo. Brave Blossoms come into the match off the back of a three-game series between a Japan XV and Australia 'A'. Kotaro Matsushima starts on the wing for his first Test appearance of 2022. Jiwon Gu comes in for the first cap since November last year.

Japan XV: Ryohei Yamanaka, Kotaro Matsushima, Dylan Riley, Ryoto Nakamura, Siosaia Fifita, Takuya Yamasawa, Yutaka Nagare, Keita Inagaki, Atsushi Sakate, Jiwon Gu, Warner Dearns, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno, Tevita Tatafu.

Japan are replaced by Craig Millar, Syuhei Takeuchi, Kanji Shimokawa, Faulua Makisi, Naoto Saito, Seung-sin Lee, Gerhard van den Heever. New Zealand have made several changes from the side that beat Australia to seal the Rugby Championship title in September. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Stephen Perofeta will make their first full appearances, while Anton Lienert-Brown could return from injury.

Japan and New Zealand are playing each other in Tokyo on Saturday 29 October at 14:50.

New Zealand XV: Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Finlay Christie, George Bower, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa'i, Shannon Frizell, and Sam Cane.

New Zealand replace Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papali'i, Aaron Smith, David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Japan vs. New Zealand is a match with high stakes. The last time the teams met, New Zealander won the match. Sky Bet and Ladbrokes put similar odds on 62 points or more being scored in the contest.