New Zealand travel to Tokyo with England and Ireland firmly in mind | Gerard Meagher

The All Blacks will field a second-string side against Japan on Saturday as they prepare for tougher autumn assignmentsWhen New Zealand face Japan in Tokyo on Saturday, the All Blacks will be thousands of miles away. Dress it up any way you like but by announcing a squad to face the Brave Blossoms featuring eight rookies at almost the precise moment 23 frontline players were boarding a flight to London, Steve Hansen is handing out confetti caps.No less than 22 of the 23-man squad who beat Australia in Yokohama last weekend, as well as Jack Goodhue, are due to land in the UK on Thursday afterno…