The All Blacks will be wary of Japan’s ‘talent’ under Eddie Jones when the two teams meet in Yokohama on Saturday, center David Habili has said.
New Zealand face Japan and then play European Tests against England, Ireland and France each weekend before facing Italy.
“I think what we should focus on this weekend is Japanese talent,” Havili told reporters in Tokyo on Monday.
“We know they like to play with the ball a lot, so we have to control it there.”
Jones, a former England and Australia coach, is “definitely an innovative coach and you can see it in the team he’s in,” Crusaders star Havili, 29, said.
“We need to be ready for something different and I’m sure they will bring that,” added Havili, who played 28 times for the All Blacks.
“It’s all about making sure we execute in the right areas of the field. We don’t want to give them the ball, we don’t want to (give up) those stupid little turnovers that force us to play on our own field.
“So certainly location and territory will be a big issue for us.”
Scrumhalf Cam Roigard has recovered from injury and announced a squad earlier this month that includes soon-to-be retired veterans Sam Cane and TJ Perenara.
Three experienced back row forwards – Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali’i – were later ruled out for the start of the tour due to injury.
21-year-old Wellington Hurricanes flanker Peter Lakai and Waikato Chiefs’ Josh Lord have been added to the squad, which has been reduced from 36 to 35 players.
The All Blacks have struggled for consistency in coach Scott Robertson’s first nine Tests and are expected to face a serious challenge on their end-of-season tour.
New Zealand have lost both games against reigning Rugby Championship winners South Africa after being upset by Argentina in August.
They bounced back with two wins against Australia.
Japan advanced to the finals of last month’s Pacific Nations Cup with three straight wins but lost to Fiji, denying Australia’s Jones, 64, his first win since returning to the Brave Blossoms this year.
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