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Steve Hansen gives rookie All Blacks 'a big tick' after victory against Japan

November 3, 2018
The All Blacks' haka against Japan

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was thrilled with the performance of his inexperienced side, handing Japan a 69-31 defeat in Tokyo.

With a number of senior players already in Europe for this year's northern hemisphere tour, Hansen named a fresh-faced All Blacks side to take on Japan, with no fewer than eight debutants.

As a result, the young, hungry side proved to have too much firepower for the spirited Brave Blossoms, crossing over for 10 tries in the match.

Speaking to Sky afterwards, Hansen said that the performance was as close to perfect as he would have wanted.

"You've got to be really happy with it, don't you?" he began.

"We've put a lot of inexperienced players in a Test match against a team that's been playing very well in the last couple of years.

"There was a few risks involved in that, but the boys have come through, come out the other side with a big tick."

Hansen also gave credit to Japan, who scored their most ever points in a single match against the All Blacks.

"They've got a bit of razzle-dazzle about them.

"They want to play rugby, they'd be a great team to support because you get your money's worth watching them. They don't die wondering."

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