New Zealand's head coach Ian Foster (left) watches Sevu Reece during New Zealand's captains run at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand on July 15, 2022, one day out from the third rugby Test match between New Zealand and Ireland. Photo: AFP

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said Thursday that his players were ready to show that their troubles were behind them as they kick off their northern hemisphere tour on Saturday against Japan.

New Zealand have endured a turbulent year that has included a home series loss to Ireland, a heavy defeat in South Africa and a maiden loss on home soil to Argentina.

But they got their act together to clinch the Rugby Championship, winning their last three Tests including a 40-14 thumping of Australia.

The All Blacks play Japan in Tokyo before moving on to Europe to face Wales, Scotland and England, and Foster said his team were "learning how to play for longer periods in a Test match."

The Rugby World Cup in France begins in less than a year's time.

"We certainly were a team that started the Championship a little bit slow but I think we've got the energy levels of the group right now," said Foster.

"I think we took a lot of confidence about understanding our own game by the end of the Championship."

Foster handed first Test starts to full-back Stephen Perofeta and center Roger Tuivasa-Sheck against Japan, with Beauden and Jordie Barrett unavailable after the death of their grandmother.

The three Barrett brothers, including lock forward Scott, did not arrive in Tokyo until Thursday after attending the funeral in New Zealand.

Auckland Blues fly-half Perofeta made his debut as a substitute in the final minute of the All Blacks' home defeat to Argentina.

Rugby league convert Tuivasa-Sheck lines up alongside Braydon Ennor in the midfield, with center Anton Lienert-Brown - in the squad for the first time in 2022 - on the bench.

"To be playing number 12 for the All Blacks is a pretty big achievement and I'm pretty excited for the weekend."

Sam Whitelock will miss the match after the lock's arrival in Japan was delayed by an inner ear condition caused by playing with his children on a trampoline.

Brodie Retallick will win his 99th cap, partnering Tupou Vaa'i in the second row.

Scrum-half Finlay Christie lines up alongside Richie Mo'unga in the half-backs.

"There are a number of players that didn't get a lot of time in the Rugby Championship that we had always intended to play," said Foster.

"A few little tweaks and changes at the start of the week but it hasn't really changed anything in terms of the quality of the team we're putting out."

AFP