New Zealand face Namibia at the Ajinomoto Stadium this morning in a highly-anticipated Rugby World Cup fixture.
There is plenty of expectation that Steve Hansen’s All Blacks will steamroller their opponents in Tokyo.
And they will have two records in their sights as they seek to leap back to the top of Pool B.
New Zealand racked up an incredible 145 points when they beat Japan – who notched 17 – at the 1995 World Cup.
And, as well as trumping that tally, they will also be eager to improve on Australia’s record 142-0 win over Namibia back in 2003.
That victory remains the biggest winning margin in World Cup history – but New Zealand have the potential to go one better, even with Hansen resting Kieran Read and co..
Anton Lienert-Brown insists New Zealand are not taking the clash against Namibia lightly, despite the gulf between the two nations.
“Every week is the same. The biggest [lesson] for me over the years is that my personal standards matter the most,” he told reporters,” Lienert-Brown said.
“It doesn’t matter who we come up against, it’s about me playing to the best of my ability. Whether that’s South Africa, Namibia, England or whoever it is.
“It’s important that you go out there and you have prepared yourself to the best you can to perform for the team.
“We have prepared very well for this game, just like we have prepared for South Africa.”
Express Sport is the place to be for live updates as New Zealand and Namibia go head-to-head in Japan.
New Zealand vs Namibia teams
New Zealand: Smith, Reece, Goodhue, Lienert-Brown, Bridge; J Barrett, Smith; Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock, Frizell, Cane, Savea.
Replacements: Coles, Tuungafasi, Ta’avao, Tuipulotu, Todd, Weber, Perenara, Ioane.
Namibia: Tromp, Klim, Newman, Deysel, Greyling; Kisting, Stevens; Rademeyer, Van Jaarsveld, De Klerk, Van Lill, Uanivi, Gaoseb, Forbes, Venter.
Replacements: Nortje, Theron, Coetzee, Retief, Booysen, Jantjies, De La Harpe, Du Toit.