A frustrating third quarter in which they scored only one try, conceding mistakes and possession to Japan, was capped in the 67th minute when Japan's replacement forward, Opetu Helu, took the ball in midfield and then ran through a rare defensive gap, broke Damian McKenzie's tackle and ran around behind the posts to score Japan's third try.
It summed up a half that was the direct opposite of the power, pace and intensity of an impressive All Blacks effort that saw them go to the break with a 43-12 lead. While the defence against a sometimes frenetic Japanese side was of a high standard, the decision-making and execution were upset, and handling and discipline issues hamstrung the side.
Two tries in the last three minutes from the end to debut player Ruben Love, who played on the wing, was some reward after the All Blacks coaches made full use of their substitutes, another reason for the lack of continuity that developed.
No8 Wallace Sititi was rampant in the first half but contained in the second while blindside flanker Samipeni Finau made some crunching tackles. Halfback Cameron Roigard had an impressive return to Test rugby, while centre Billy Proctor was lively in the first half but lacked chances in the second. Hooker Asafo Aumua made some punishing runs.
They were fortunate Japan couldn't make more of fullback Yoshitaka Yazaki, who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball.
Japan followed up on coach Eddie Jones' advice that his side would attack, and that tactic was enough for Japan to score the first try just short of five minutes into the game. It came when wing Jone Naikabula joined the backline from the short side after a scrum and took an inside pass from impressive and consistent passing halfback Shinobu Fukiwara and poured on the gas to split the defence and then rolled over the line in the tackle to score.
More controlled play from the All Blacks saw them camp in the Japan half and capitalise after Sititi ripped the ball clear at a tackle and the ball was moved for first five-eighths Damian McKenzie to throw a long pass across the face of his backline for Proctor to feed wing Mark Tele'a. He had two men in front of him but got through and went over out wide.
Three minutes late, in the same corner after a set-up burst by Sititi with second five-eighths Anton Lienert-Brown and fullback Stephen Perofeta making ground before the ball was thrown to lock and captain Patrick Tuipulotu on the left flank had to turn to catch the ball and then fend off three defenders before scoring.
However, after the restart, Japan secured a penalty, kicked to the corner, won the lineout and from a goalline ruck, No8 Faulua Makisi had no one in front of him to score. They then ruled out a try due to a knock-on rule when McKenzie was hit in a tackle and lock. Warner Dearns kicked ahead, got the bounce, and was over, only for the TMO to confirm the knock-on.
Instead, from the scrum, New Zealand worked the shorter side, and after a run by wing Sevu Reece, a return pass inside to Proctor saw the Wellingtonian score. Two minutes later, Reece followed a Proctor kick downfield to pressure the defence, and with counter-ruck momentum achieved, the ball was won and moved to the left where Tele'a held his feet and gave supporting flanker Sam Cane the chance to score.
Proctor was taken in a high tackle in front of Japan's goalposts, and from a tap, the ball went left for Finau to go over in the corner. Prop Pasilio Tosi scored in the 33rd minute after an outstanding run by Aumua challenged four defenders before he off-loaded to lock Sam Darry, who gave Tosi an open run at the line.
Prop Tamaiti Williams completed the first-half scoring from a lineout maul try.
Another Aumua burst early in the second half again tied up defenders before he slipped the ball to Roigard, who pushed off more tacklers en route to the goal line.
The Japanese laid down a challenge for the All Blacks that will leave plenty to be worked on ahead of Sunday's [NZT] Test with England.
Scorers: Japan 19 (Jone Naikabula, Faulua Makisi, Opeti Helu tries; Harumichi Tatekawa con; Tomoki Osada con) New Zealand 64 (Mark Tele'a, Patrick Tuipulotu, Billy Proctor, Sam Cane, Sampeni Finau, Pasilio Tosi, Tamaiti Williams, Cameron Roigard, Ruben Love 2 tries; Damian McKenzie 7 con). HT: 12-43
