Japan 31 (Himeno, Dearns, Nagare, Yamasawa tries, Yamasawa 4 cons, pen) All Blacks 38 (Hoskins Sotutu, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Brodie Retallick tries, Richie Mo'unga 5 cons, pen)
FULL TIME - So the All Blacks take the win - just. What a performance from the Brave Blossoms, they can be extremely proud with what they put out there tonight.
The All Blacks lacked accuracy and it was Japan who, arguably, looked the most menacing on attack. They're looking like they could be a real threat come Rugby World Cup 2023.
For a full wrap of the match, click here.
81 mins - PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS.
80 mins - The All Blacks will get out of jail - they win a penalty for holding on and that will bring an end to an absolutely pulsating test match!
79 mins - Japan try to break out from deep inside their own half but Anton Lienert-Brown makes a big tackle! The Blossoms have to go 90m to score here.
78 mins - TRY STANDS - GAME ON!
78 mins - Hang on... the TMO has seen something he wants to check, a potential knock on during the grounding.
78 mins - CONVERSION JAPAN. Back to a four-point ball game!
77 mins - TRY JAPAN. We are headed for a grandstand finish! Japan execute the lineout to perfect and after multiple pick and go phases, they crash over! Wow!
75 mins - Aaron Smith works the blindside but it's dropped by Sevu Reece who's lost it and it's hacked away by Japan. The All Blacks are tackled deep inside their own half and they are penalised for holding on! Outstanding hustle from Japan, who will go to a lineout 6m out.
74 mins - Another big scrum and the All Blacks win the penalty, they go to a lineout just beyond the 22. The lineout is won and the rolling maul is the option.
73 mins - Scrum All Blacks and it's crucial they clear their lines cleanly here.
72 mins - The Blossoms have numbers out to the left but they lose it deep inside the All Blacks' 22! Was that the moment?
71 mins - Japan throw an intercept pass to David Havili but he's lost it and Japan have solid possession deep inside the All Blacks' half.
70 mins - Penalty Japan just beyond the 22 and they clear for touch. The lineout will take place just inside their own half.
68 mins - New Zealand fail to win their third subsequent lineout and Japan clear for touch. Brilliant and confident defence again - not afraid to get up and contest the All Blacks.
67 mins - The All Blacks win the lineout and subsequently win another penalty - this time for hands in the ruck. Meanwhile, David Havili replaces Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
66 mins - Japan go to a lineout and come up with yet another break through the backs! Anton Lienert-Brown makes a crucial tackle into touch and it's an All Blacks lineout, which they win a much-needed penalty from too.
65 mins - RED CARD ALL BLACKS. Retallick is sent off! The referee has decided there's no mitigating factors and the veteran will watch the rest of the game from the sideline!
65 mins - We've now got a TMO referral for potential foul play against Brodie Retallick. It appears Retallick's shoulder has made contact with the neck of a Japanese player... big decision coming.
65 mins - Wow! The All Blacks win the lineout, go wide and Mo'unga has nearly thrown an intercept! The only thing that's saved New Zealand there is the Japanese player dropping the ball, otherwise it was almost certainly curtains.
64 mins - Oh, dear - Mo'unga misses touch and Japan returns the kick back to the 10m.
63 mins - Massive scrum from the All Blacks and they've won a penalty from it.
62 mins - Japan win a lineout, but they've subsequently dropped it in midfield. Centre field scrum for the All Blacks.
62 mins - Change for the All Blacks as Tupou Vaa'i makes way for Patrick Tuipulotu.
60 mins - CONVERSION ALL BLACKS.
58 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS. Another much-needed one try that for New Zealand. After some physical work up front through pick and go, Hoskins Sotutu manages to spin his way through a tackle and cross the line.
57 mins - Right, All Blacks win back possession from the kick off and almost immediately win a penalty for offside. They'll go to a lineout again about 10m out from Japan's line.
56 mins - CONVERSION JAPAN. The Blossoms trail by just FOUR.
55 mins - TRY JAPAN. The Blossoms just won't go away! This time Finlay Christie's box kick is charged down deep inside Japan's half, and it's regathered for a try!
54 mins - Multiple changes for the All Blacks. All front rowers will make way for Ofa Tu'uangafasi, Codie Taylor and Tyrell Lomax.
53 mins - That is brilliant defence from Japan. The All Blacks resort to pick and go as they fail to break the line in the backs. New Zealand is subsequently penalised for holding on.
51 mins - Japan's defence holds strong after the lineout but they are eventually caught offside. The All Blacks go to a centrefield scrum this time about 7m out.
48 mins - Japan again manage a linebreak from the scrum. The experience of Brodie Retallick, though, is over the ball after a few phases and wins a penalty for holding on. They'll go to a lineout again about 6m out from Japan's line.
48 mins - Starting to get a bit messy here again, the All Blacks. They win possession back but look to force an offload and lose it well inside Japan's half.
47 mins - Lineout it is from a very handy position - about 6m out. But Japan get up and contest and pinch it! They don't call them the brave Blossoms for nothing.
46 mins - The All Blacks break out from the scrum but lose possession - we'll go back for an offside penalty. I'd expect to see NZ go to another lineout.
45 mins - Japan wins possession from a messy All Blacks lineout. Japan again opts for the attacking grubber kick from inside their own half, but are unable to regather. All Blacks scrum on Japan's 10m.
42 mins - CONVERSION ALL BLACKS. Mo'unga adds the extras to give New Zealand some breathing room.
41 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS. Boy they needed that start to the half! The All Blacks crash in midfield from the lineout, spinning to Clarke on the left who quite easily breaks a few tackles and goes in for a five-pointer.
40 mins - Back underway in Tokyo. Mo'unga kicks off, which is returned to touch by Japan. Lineout All Blacks on Japan's 10m.
Second half
...
7:45pm - Well, the All Blacks go to the break with the narrowest of leads. Certainly a bit of rust showing and credit to Japan who have been outstanding!
Just when it looked like the All Blacks looked like they'd take control, Japan from out of nowhere scored two brilliant breakaway tries. Jamie Jospeh should be extremely proud of the fight his team is showing.
Half time
40 mins - CONVERSION JAPAN. What a half from the Blossoms, they have played some beautiful rugby at the back end of this half. Coach Jamie Joseph will be a very happy man!
38 mins - TRY JAPAN. Can you believe it?! Japan break out from the kick off and immediately look threatening. They make their way up to the 22 and a beautiful linebreak, followed by a slick inside pass puts them in for their second!
37 mins - CONVERSION JAPAN. Yamaswa converts his own try.
35 mins - TRY JAPAN. From out of nowhere! The All Blacks were threatening to break out again, but the Blossoms win a turnover and make their way beyond the half way line. Japan kick in behind the All Blacks who they fail to regather. Yamasawa pounces on it and gives the Blossoms their first try!
32 mins - CONVERSION ALL BLACKS.
31 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS. Oh that's brilliant! The ball is thrown long in the lineout all the way to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, finding a beautiful pass to Sevu Reece on the inside who goes all the way!
30 mins - Massive All Blacks scrum and they win a penalty from it. Mo'unga kicks for touch and finds it just beyond half way.
28 mins - Japan win possession and work their way up inside the 22. They opt for the cross kick but it's off target and rolls dead. Scrum All Blacks just inside the 22.
27 mins - The All Blacks kick to the air after the kickoff and it's beautifully regathered by Caleb Clarke. After some forceback, Japan find the ground and it rolls into touch just outside the All Blacks' 22.
25 mins - CONVERSION ALL BLACKS.
25 mins - Controversially, the referee says it's not a "clear and obvious" forward pass and the try stands.
25 mins - Scratch that... Braydon Ennor has crossed the line after some beautiful hands through the backline. After the try is initially awarded, the TMO has intervened to check for a potential forward pass.
24 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS.
23 mins - Time back on. This time the All Blacks opt for a scrum.
23 mins - Another penalty to the All Blacks for offside - but also a chance to breathe as we go to a water break.
22 mins - How has Braydon Ennor not scored there?! Richie Mo'unga chips over the top after the lineout, it's collected by Ennor who looked certain to score - but the brave Blossoms hold him up! The All Blacks were under advantage for a penalty, so we'll go to another lineout - this one 6m out.
20 mins - New Zealand win a penalty at the breakdown. They kick for touch, winning a lineout inside their own 22.
19 mins - The All Blacks have the ball returned to them from the kickoff, which is susequently angle into touch on the bounce by Mo'unga. Lineout Japan on their own 10m.
18 mins - PENALTY GOAL JAPAN. The Blossoms are on the board in Tokyo.
16 mins - Another mistake from the All Blacks, they win their scrum but Sevu Reece has kicked it out on the full. The lineout is won by Japan and they crash in midfield. The All Blacks subsequently give away a penalty right out in front - chance for three points for the Blossoms.
15 mins - Messy from the All Blacks! They win their lineout but botch a backline set play and the ball goes to ground. Japan is unable to pick up the loose ball cleanly and knock on.
13 mins - Japan is able to regather their own kickoff but they subsequently lose possession, giving the All Blacks a scrum outside their own 22. Christie again clears after the scrum. Japan return the favour - lineout All Blacks on their own 10m.
11 mins - CONVERSION ALL BLACKS. Richie Mo'unga adds the extras.
10 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS. How good is Samisoni Samisoni Taukei'aho?! The All Blacks win their lineout, crash in midfield and Taukei'aho subsequently breaks the line. He feeds veteran Brodie Retallick who is in for New Zealand's first!
9 mins - Sotutu goes from the back of the scrum and gets agonisingly close to the line but the ball is lost! Japan survive their first real defensive test, and clear for touch on the 10m line.
8 mins - Drop ball from Japan and Braydon Ennor gets an attacking kick away - there's noone home for Japan. The retreating Japanese player has no option but to kick the ball dead - 5m scrum All Blacks.
8 mins - All Blacks win their scrum but some solid Japanese defence has them on the back foot backwards. Christie opts for another box kick.
7 mins - Japan knock the ball on from the lineout, so the All Blacks get the scrum.
6 mins - Great opening stanza here. The All Blacks have a lineout after an attacking kick from Japan bounced into touch.
5 mins - Linebreak from Japan! They make their way up to the 22m but lose possession, the All Blacks clear.
4 mins - Mo'unga goes for the kicking option off the lineout, which is immediately returned. The All Blacks look to go through the hands but lose possession.
3 mins - Japan grubber to touch and the All Blacks have a lineout on their own 10m.
3 mins - The All Blacks win their scrum, after a few phases Finlay Christie looks for a box kick and Japan have possession.
2 mins - Japan win their lineout but they lose it forward in the following phase - scrum All Blacks.
1 minute - Japan kick off and the All Blacks take the ball inside their 22. Richie Mo'unga immediately kicks for the touchline and Japan will have the lineout close to halfway.
Kick-off
...
6:54pm - Late change for the All Blacks. Dane Coles has been ruled out, Samisoni Taukei'aho starts at hooker.
6:52pm - The challenge has been laid and the stage is set. Welcome again to our live coverage of this one-off test in Tokyo - it's a pleasure to have you following us.
6:50pm - Respective national anthems are done, now time for the haka - led by Aaron Smith.
6:42pm - Football-like scenes in Tokyo, as the teams make their way out on to the stadium side by side - a nice touch.
6:40pm - The teams are making their way on to Tokyo's National Stadium - there's a sell-out 65,000 strong crowd in attendance.
Kia ora and welcome to live updates of this one-off test between the All Blacks and Japan from the National Stadium in the Japanese capital Tokyo.
Despite a Rugby Championship plagued by adversity, the All Blacks overcame the noise to retain their crown and will be looking to get their end-of-year tour off to the perfect start.
However, they will be without several star players - among them the three Barrett brothers who were late to join the squad after the death of their grandmother.
Those absentees have made space for Blues stars Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Stephen Perofeta to make their first test starts.
Meanwhile, Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named former Chief Michael Leitch to earn his 75th cap in the back row.
TAB odds
All Blacks $1.03
Japan $8.50
Draw $41.
How they line up
All Blacks: 1-George Bower, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Tupou Vaa'i, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane (c), 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Stephen PerofetaReserves: 16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-Tyrel Lomax, 19-Patrick Tuipulotu, 20-Dalton Papali'i, 21-Aaron Smith, 22-David Havili, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown
Japan: 1-Keita Inagaki, 2-Atsushi Sakate, 3-Jiwon Koo, 4-Warner Dearns, 5-Jack Cornelsen, 6-Mitchel Leitch (c), 7-Kazuki Himeno, 8-Tevita Tatafu, 9-Yutaka Nagare, 10-Takuya Yamasawa, 11-Siosaia Fifita, 12-Ryoto Nakamura, 13-Dylan Riley, 14-Kotaro Matsushima, 15-Ryohei YamanakaReserves: 16-Takeshi Hino, 17-Craig Millar, 18-Shuhei Takeuchi, 19-Kanji Shimokawa, 20-Faulua Makisi, 21-Naoto Saito, 22-Seungsin Lee, 23-Gerhard van den Heever.
