KEY POINTS:
The Junior All Blacks ran amok in the second half to beat Japan 51-3 in Tokyo on Sunday and end their unbeaten Pacific Nations Cup campaign on an entertaining note.
The unbeaten New Zealand team, who had already won the six-nation tournament heading into this weekend's final round, scorched in for a competition-high eight tries against the last-placed Japanese.
Seven of them came in the second spell after they struggled to forge a 10-3 halftime advantage at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground.
The John Kirwan-coached Japan held firm through the first 30 minutes, matching the visitors in every facet to lead 3-0 courtesy of a penalty to first five-eighth Eiji Ando.
However, the sinbinning of Japan's New Zealand-born flanker Glen Marsh kick-started the Junior All Blacks' point-a-minute romp from that point.
First five-eighth Stephen Brett landed a penalty and then converted a try to prop Wyatt Crocket three minutes later, a sweeping effort that mirrored much of the play in the second-half.
Reserve first five-eighth Stephen Donald bagged two tries in the closing seven minutes while Brett, second five-eighth Tane Tuipulotu, centre Ma'a Nonu and wingers Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf all crossed once as the backs hogged the second-half tries.
Tuitavake was the most potent runner, while loose forwards Sione Lauaki and Jerome Kaino made regular inroads after the initial Japanese fire was snuffed out.
New Zealand's average score through their five games was 46-7 and they scored 32 tries to four.
Today's Junior All Blacks team featured eight starting changes from the side who hammered Australia A 50-0 in Dunedin last weekend, a match which ensured New Zealand would defend their title.
Junior All Blacks 51 (Stephen Donald 2, Wyatt Crockett, Tane Tuipulotu, Stephen Brett, Anthony Tuitavake, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf tries; Brett pen, 2 con, Donald 2 con) Japan 3 (Eiji Ando pen). Halftime: 10-3.
- NZPA
