All Blacks were not clinical in breakdown, they needed a game like this to check themselves. Penalties and turnovers left and right in the first half for ABs, Japan brought it to the breakdown and NZ didn't suit up there. I thought TKB wasn't quick enough at breakdown in terms of making decisions, which slows everything else. A couple of times it looked like he got caught looking to both sides of the street before delivering allowing a disciplined Japanese side to re-align. Certainly wouldn't give up on him yet, I think he just needs more time to play, it was his first start so it was the first time he really got to control the game at this level. Carter was ok, not spectacular (outside of the boot), had a couple of nice runs. Saili had a lot of dropped balls, poor passes, ruck penalties if I recall correctly, just all around not a strong game from the 12 when the All Blacks 12 really needs to be steady in both attack and defense, I'd argue the 12 is most important All Black in backline. With Saili I felt it was boom or bust. He did have some nice moments but also too many palm to forehead moments, not steady enough yet. Ben Smith was good when given shot with ball, set up and scored his beautifully worked try. Piutau's work rate was fantastic. Halai had limited moments, still looked to have some 7s tendencies in him with trying to sprint beat defenders when it probably wasn't on or throwing a couple of wild passes in contact but he always looked dangerous. Barrett was relatively quiet, didn't really involve himself in attack often.
Forwards just have to work harder. Inexperienced tight 5 got a baptism with all of them making first starts. Coles and Crockett probably played the best, but no means outstanding, and were really worked by the Japanese props at scrum time. Back row for me was very good, typical yeoman's performance from them, although Luatua was quiet in attack but those guys really went around the park defensively, forced some turnovers, slowed some ball down.
Overall, average performance from what we've seen this summer, but credit the Japanese for being the disciplined well drilled technical side they are and for not giving an inch at the breakdown. You could tell this All Blacks side just wasn't connecting yet. Pretty much new combinations all over the park, so I guess we should've expected this type of performance.
