All Blacks hold on for nervy victory against Japan after Retallick sees red

Lock sent off 14 minutes from time as New Zealand are given an almighty scare in Tokyo

OFF YOU GO: New Zealand's Brodie Retallick is shown a red card by Referee Nika Amashukeli

New Zealand kicked off their end-of-year tour with a 38-31 victory over Japan on Saturday, but the makeshift All Blacks side were given a huge scare in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 at Tokyo’s National Stadium.

The visitors played the last 14 minutes a man down after the lock Brodie Retallick was sent off for a dangerous clearout, but just held on for victory despite a late try from the outstanding Brave Blossoms flanker Kazuki Himeno.