Fly-half Richie Mo’unga sparked a second-string All Blacks side to a 69-31 victory over plucky Japan in Tokyo on Saturday. Mo’unga scored a try and went eight-from-nine with the boot in a sparkling 22-point display for the world champions, who ran in
Fly-half Richie Mo’unga sparked a second-string All Blacks side to a 69-31 victory over plucky Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.
Mo’unga scored a try and went eight-from-nine with the boot in a sparkling 22-point display for the world champions, who ran in 10 tries against the 2019 World Cup hosts.
Ngani Laumape bagged a hat-trick of tries, while George Bridge marked his All Blacks debut with a pair after coming on at the start of the second half.
But New Zealand, resting their big-hitters for November Tests away to England, Ireland and Italy, were given a workout by Japan watched by a crowd of 43,000.
The Brave Blossoms scored five tries of their own — including the game’s first, run in by Samuela Anise after just three minutes to stun the visitors.
