New All Blacks captain Luke Whitelock is expecting a familiar style of rugby confronting his side, when they take on Japan in the one-off test in Tokyo on Saturday.
The 27-year-old leads an inexperienced side into battle against the 'Brave Blossoms', featuring eight new caps and 22 changes to the 23-man squad that beat Australia in Yokohama.
Whitelock has spent the last three Super Rugby seasons at the Highlanders, so he is no stranger to the New Zealand trio plotting New Zealand's downfall.
Head coach Jamie Joseph was in charge during Whitelock's first year with the southerners, while assistant coach Tony Brown made him captain a year later.
Incoming Hurricanes coach John Plumtree rounds out the Japanese brains trust, but it's the Highlanders connection that is influencing the style of play the red and whites have implemented.
"There are some coaches there we are pretty familiar with," Whitelock said on Friday.
"There are parts of their game that look pretty similar to my first few years at the Highlanders. Japanese rugby is very fast and that suits their coaches.
"They are highly skilled and will be running at us from all parts of the field with ball in hand, and they won't die wondering."
It's been an exciting week for the six-times capped All Black loose-forward. The introduction of young talent including Matt Proctor and Dalton Papali'i has ignited a real spark in training, while the return of established stars Dane Coles, Patrick Tuipulotu and Jordie Barret has provided a real edge.
Whitelock admits it will be a balancing act keeping everyone in line and on track on Saturday but his most important job is to do his job as a number eight.
"First and foremost I need to get myself sorted and play my own game - we have some great leaders out there so it will be about facilitating that out on the park.
"Just been trying to focus on my own game and get that right - just trying to help out with the new guys where I can and have it all come together."
This week marks the five year anniversary of Whitelock's first cap, against the same opposition at the same venue.
The Palmerston North native has advised the young chargers to embrace the moment because before they know it the game will be over.
"I guess just to try and enjoy the occasion, the moment," Whitelock noted.
"It all goes by pretty fast so they need to enjoy it for what it is.
"Yes they are young in experience but they have plenty of energy and excited about the opportunity to go out there and express themselves for New Zealand."
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Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks vs Japan rugby test in Tokyo.
