Foster expects better from ‘rusty’ All Blacks

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Coach Ian Foster says the All Blacks need to keep their heads during their northern-hemisphere tour after being made to sweat in a 38-31 win over Japan on Saturday.

New Zealand conceded four tries and lost lock Brodie Retallick to a 66th-minute red card as they kicked off their tour against a spirited Japan side that trailed by only four points heading into the final minutes in Tokyo.

Foster said the All Blacks were “a bit rusty” playing their first game in more than a month and would need to get up to speed quickly with away games against Wales, Scotland and England to come.

RECAP: Japan give All Blacks big scare

“There are a number of things we have to improve from today, but I think we’ve had five weeks without a game and that sort of showed in some of our timing,” said Foster.

“I think there were moments where we weren’t composed. When the game doesn’t go your way for spells and you’re away from home, it’s easy to lose confidence and lose shape.”

The All Blacks scored three first-half tries, but the Brave Blossoms hit back with two of their own to head into half time trailing by only four points.

Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu scored two more for New Zealand after the interval, but Japan would not be shaken off and a red card for Retallick for dangerous play at a ruck set up a nervy finale.

WATCH: All Blacks’ Retallick sees red

Kazuki Himeno scored Japan’s fourth try to turn the screw in the dying moments, but Foster said he was happy that the Kiwis “stayed tight through some key points”.

“We got put under a lot of pressure but I really liked the way we played,” he said. “Japan came back very well before half time and really turned the game into a tight contest. Some new combinations, and overall it’s a good stepping stone for us.”

The Brave Blossoms were looking for their first win over the All Blacks and head coach Jamie Joseph said Japan’s “intent was very clear from the start”.

“It was exactly what we’re trying to build as a rugby team,” New Zealand-born Joseph added.

“I thought our team played very well and we created a chance to win the Test match, which would have been a historical moment for Japanese rugby if we had been able to pull that off.”

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: @ultimaterugby/Twitter

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Devin Hermanus