All Blacks team named to play Japan at Yokohama Stadium

All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson and his co-selectors, Assistant Coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison, have named their All Blacks team to play Japan in the 2024 Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama.

LIVE on Sky Sport - Saturday 26 October:  All Blacks vs Japan, 6.50PM (NZST). Highlights available on NZR+ and All Blacks YouTube.

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant)

1.    Tamaiti Williams (14)
2.    Asafo Aumua (15)
3.    Pasilio Tosi (3) 
4.    Sam Darry (5)
5.    Patrick Tuipulotu (46) (Captain)
6.    Samipeni Finau (4)
7.    Sam Cane (100) (Vice-Captain)
8.    Wallace Sititi (5)
9.    Cam Roigard (5)
10.  Damian McKenzie (56)
11.  Mark Tele’a (15)
12.  Anton Lienert-Brown (79) (Vice-Captain)
13.  Billy Proctor (1)
14.  Sevu Reece (30)
15.  Stephen Perofeta (5)

16. George Bell (1)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (63)
18. Fletcher Newell (20)
19. Josh Lord (6)
20. Peter Lakai*
21. TJ Perenara (87)
22. David Havili (28)
23. Ruben Love*

Unavailable due to injury: Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali'i (upper hamstring)

Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the All Blacks for the first time when they take on Japan in Yokohama this Saturday. He will have the extensive experience of Sam Cane and Anton Lienert-Brown, with 179 Tests between them, to support him as Vice-Captains.

Two players will have the opportunity to make their All Blacks Test debut, with loose forward Peter Lakai and outside back Ruben Love both named as impact players, while Pasilio Tosi will make his first start at prop.

Tosi will be joined by Tamaiti Williams and Asafo Aumua in the front row and Sam Darry will join Tuipulotu at lock. Wallace Sititi moves into 8 and Samipeni Finau will play at 6 to make up the loose forward trio with Cane.

Halfback Cameron Roigard returns to the All Blacks for the first time in 2024, while Stephen Perofeta also returns from injury to take the fullback spot.  Billy Proctor will earn just his second cap at centre. Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece will take the wings, and Damian McKenzie will complete the back line at first five-eighth.

Front row cover will be provided by Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell and George Bell, in just his second All Black Test. Josh Lord will cover lock, and TJ Perenara and David Havili will join Love as back line cover.

All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the team was looking forward to getting the Northern Tour underway.
 
“We have had a fantastic few days in Tokyo so far and the energy in the group as we kick off this tour is exciting to see.  We will bring that energy when we face the Brave Blossoms on Saturday, as we know that Japan will play a fast, attacking game.
 
“We are all thrilled for Ruben and Peter who will get their chance to make their mark on the black jersey for the first time, and for Stephen and Cam who have both worked hard to make their return from injury. Congratulations also to Patrick for being named as All Blacks Captain. Pat has great mana, leadership and experience; it’s a proud moment for him and his whānau.
 
“The welcome and hospitality we have received in Japan has been very humbling, so we look forward to repaying this support with a performance to be proud of on Saturday,” Robertson said.

The teams are playing for the Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup, in what will be the first time the two sides have met at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.


MATCH FACTS
 

• Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium has a capacity of 72,000 and was a key venue during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

• The All Blacks have played four previous Tests at Yokohama, against England, Ireland, South Africa and Australia, but never against Japan.

• The All Blacks have played seven Tests against Japan since their first meeting in 1987 and Japan have never beaten the All Blacks.

• The biggest margin was a 145-17 win at the 1995 RWC in South Africa where All Blacks centre Marc Ellis scored six tries.

• The All Blacks won their last Test against Japan 38-31 in Tokyo in 2022.

• Patrick Tuipulotu will become the 82nd player to captain the All Blacks in a Test and the sixth of Samoan descent, following in the footsteps of Tana Umaga, Ardie Savea, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Rodney So’oialo and Jerry Collins.