Two tries from Test debutant Ruben Love in the final three minutes have helped save the All Blacks’ blushes against Japan in Yokohama, as the 'Brave Blossoms' threatened to outscore the visitors in the second half.

As it was, New Zealand scored 10 tries in total to win 64-19, but their familiar fourth quarter failings this year threatened to eclipse everything at Nissan Stadium.

After conceding an early try to Japan with a sloppy start, which featured a wonky lineout throw from Asafo Aumua and a kick out on the full by returning halfback Cam Roigard, the visitors piled on seven first-half tries and led 43-12 at halftime.

Roigard was on the board in a welcome comeback from injury after the halftime break, with a typically bustling run for a try that saw the All Blacks reach 50 points after 44 minutes, but from then on, there was an almost complete disconnect by his teammates, as head coach Scott Robertson rang the changes.

Love came on in the 51st minute for right wing Sevu Reece, joining fellow debutant Peter Lakai, the loose forward entering with five others seven minutes earlier.

The changes did not have the desired effect, with the All Blacks lacking structure in the final 35 minutes, a failure not helped by a series of mistakes from first-five Damian McKenzie, who was given a big opportunity, but who has presumably now slipped further down the No.10 pecking order behind the absent Beauden Barrett, already in London and preparing for next Sunday’s Test against England.

That is a Test that will bear no resemblance to what transpired a short bullet train ride south of Tokyo.

Japan are ranked 14th in the world, behind Georgia and Samoa, and one place above Portugal. Near the end of the first half, when the All Blacks were scoring almost at will, Japan appeared close to mental and physical collapse.

All of that will make the All Blacks’ failure to put them to the sword after the break more puzzling for Robertson and company.

With tryscorers Mark Tele’a, Billy Proctor and Sevu Reece combining well at times, and No.8 Wallace Sititi again a constant danger with the ball, helped by the hard-working skipper Patrick Tuipulotu, who also crossed the line, it seemed the All Blacks would run up a cricket score, but instead, their lacklustre play in a match that lacked intensity and jeopardy may have encouraged a few viewers to change channels for the Black Caps’ second Test in India.

"We started quite rough, we didn’t get our set piece right,” Tuipulotu told Sky. "When we managed to hold the ball, we scored some good tries."

Indeed, with the All Blacks naming their heaviest front row ever in Aumua, and props Tamaiti Williams and Pasilio Tosi, it seemed only a matter of time before they would win a scrum penalty, but despite trying, they didn’t achieve it until the 65th minute — a credit to Japan’s pack and the work of scrum coach Owen Franks, the former All Blacks prop.

Tele’a was over first, as the All Blacks replied to Jone Naikabula’s early try, and from there it was pretty much oneway traffic, with Tuipulotu crashing over on the left also.

Japan No.8 Faulua Makisi replied from close range, taking advantage of a worrying defensive disconnection from the visitors, with Japan’s impressive Kiwi lock Warner Dearns then awarded a wonder try that featured a hack through and regather, before it was ultimately disallowed for a knock-on.

Proctor, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Tosi and Williams then crossed the line for the All Blacks in a procession before halftime. Roigard’s try after the break was almost an anomaly for the Kiwis, who were stunned by the sight of replacement prop Opeti Helu scoring a late try for Japan, via a slow-motion break and bust through last defender McKenzie.

Up stepped Love with a try with three minutes remaining and then another, as Japan tried a miracle play in their own territory.

As a preparation for a tough stretch against England, Ireland, France and Italy, this exhibition — for that's what it appeared to be — was of questionable value, apart from game-time for Roigard, Love and Lakai.

All Blacks 64 (Ruben Love 2, Mark Tele’a, Patrick Tuipulotu, Billy Proctor, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Pasilio Tosi, Tamaiti Williams & Cam Roigard, tries; Damian McKenzie 7 conversions) Japan 19 (Jone Naikabula, Faulua Makisi & Opeti Helu tries; Harumichi Tatekawa & Tomoki Osada conversions)

Halftime: 43-12