**Strong First Half Earns All Blacks Yokohama Win**

ZAGO 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

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Post on Oct 26, 2024

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Strong First Half Earns All Blacks Yokohama Win

The All Blacks roared back to life with a convincing 38-21 victory over Japan in their Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Yokohama on Saturday. The New Zealanders dominated the first half, scoring five tries to put the game beyond doubt, before easing off in the second period.

Dominant Start for the All Blacks

From the outset, the All Blacks were relentless. Their trademark speed and physicality were on full display, and they quickly overwhelmed the Japanese defense. Beauden Barrett, the captain for the day, orchestrated the attack with precision, while the likes of Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane caused havoc with their electrifying pace.

Jordan opened the scoring with a try in the 5th minute, and Ioane followed suit just seven minutes later. Aaron Smith added a third try before Barrett crossed the line himself. Dalton Papalii then capped off a dominant first half performance with a fifth try, giving the All Blacks a commanding 31-7 lead at the break.

Japan Fight Back in the Second Half

The second half saw a much-improved performance from Japan. They defended resolutely and managed to score two tries through Satoshi Hirose and Riku Kataoka, while Tevita Tatafu added a third try to bring the score to 38-21. However, the All Blacks had already done enough to secure the win.

Key Takeaways for the All Blacks

This match served as a valuable test for the All Blacks ahead of the Rugby World Cup. They were able to identify areas where they need to improve, particularly in the second half where they lost some of their intensity.

Despite this, the overall performance was a positive one. The All Blacks demonstrated their strength and depth, with several players stepping up to fill key roles. The win will provide them with valuable confidence going into the tournament.

Looking Ahead

The All Blacks will now turn their attention to their remaining Rugby World Cup warm-up matches. They will need to continue to build momentum and ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

This win in Yokohama is a promising start, but the All Blacks will know that they will face tougher opposition as the tournament progresses. They will need to maintain their high standards and continue to improve if they are to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the Rugby World Cup.