Four handling errors by the Black Ferns so far - must do better.

Karl Te Nana
Former New Zealand winger on BBC iPlayer

Lesley McKenzie [Japan head coach] was talking about getting off to a good start but New Zealand haven't really had that.

Well, I didn't see that coming but Japan have been excellent in defence and attack.

The Black Ferns have not hit their straps, despite spending most of the match in the Japan 22.

A knock forward by a Black Fern gives Japan a scrum on their 22, which Japan win and run back before kicking to halfway.

Karl Te Nana
Former New Zealand winger

Royalty loved that and Sandy Park loved it. What a time to score your first try.

Image source, Getty Images

Encouraging stuff from Japan as they box kick their way into the New Zealand half.

They win their own lineout and maul to the right.

Image source, Getty Images

The Black Ferns kick upfield and then rumble infield to the left, but Jorja Miller is guilty of killing the ball and Japan win a penalty to clear. They look delighted, they showed some real strength to win that one.

We are under way, with Japan's Moe Tsukui chipping a shallowkick-off to her left.

Not a great start for Japan, with Sora Nishimura twisting her ankle when she collides with a team mate, and she's replaced by number 22 Minori Yamamoto straight away.

Image source, Getty Images

Awesome stuff, with Japan standing firm just back of halfway.

We are all set!

Image source, Getty Images

Today's first match has just finished, with Ireland securing their place in the quarter-finals with a 43-27 win over a spirited Spain at Franklins Gardens.

The teams are out at a sunny Sandy Park, and now the anthems are done it is time for the Black Ferns to lay down a challenge to Japan.

New Zealand donned their white second kit, whioch I've always quite liked, last week but this week they have done an 'AC/DC'....they are back in black!

Image source, Getty Images

Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting: "We've got the ultimate respect for Japan. They are a well-coached team, I've seen them grow. They are technically and tactically really sound. We've got to play this game really well. We want to build off last week.

"I thought we started really strong in terms of our mindset and intent. We've had two and a half weeks together and our ladies intend to grow and build. That's our game. I think we had 17 errors (against Spain), but we don't want our ladies to stop. We just need to get better."

Image source, Reuters

Japan captain Iroha Nagata: "I’m truly excited about the opportunity to face New Zealand, the defending champions, and I can’t wait for the game. With respect for them, we want to bring out Sakura Fifteen rugby and focus on ourselves, showing that approach right from the start of the match."

Today will, surely, be a case of how many New Zealand win by, with Japan having won just once in all the World Cup appearances, and that was a a victory over Sweden in 1994.

Image source, Getty Images

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is one try away from becoming the first New Zealand player to reach 50 tries in Test matches. Lining up on the right wing today, she is currently tied with Doug Howlett on 49, having scored after appearing off the bench last week.

And she leads the way in the all-time World Cup try charts, with a tally of 21.

Image source, BBC Sport

Just the one change for the Sakura, with Sakurako Hatada replacing Misaki Matsumura on the right wing.

Image source, BBC Sport

Back row forward Kennedy Tukuafu comes in, as do Katelyn Vahaakolo and Portia Woodman-Wickcliffe on both wings.

Exeter's Sandy Park welcomes the World Cup holders as they take on Japan in the second round of Group C fixtures.

The Black Ferns barely broke sweat in despatching Spain 54-8 last Sunday, while Japan were seen off in a 42-14 defeat by Ireland.

A similar story today?