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All Blacks silence critics with dominant win over Fiji in Hamilton
Fiji-born Sevu Reece scored three tries for the All Blacks against his home nation as New Zealand trounced Fiji 60-13 to sweep their Test series 2-0.
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Recalled winger Reece completed his hat-trick by the 36th minute in Hamilton as the All Blacks racked up nine tries to one at Waikato Stadium following a week of criticism after their 57-23 first Test victory in Dunedin.
Ian Foster’s side came into Saturday’s clash under pressure, having been beaten at the breakdown in the opener before running over the tiring Fijians.
With Richie Mo’unga back in the No.10 jersey, the rejigged hosts responded with a powerhouse display by adding five second-half tries to their four in the first.
The All Blacks next face Australia in the opening match of the annual Bledisloe Cup, as they look to retain the trophy contested by the Trans-Tasman nations for a 19th successive year.
“Really impressed with the boys the way they have fronted,” All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock sai d.
“I feel like we’ve had a lot of growth and development and we’re really tight as a team.
“We’ll enjoy this, it took us a while to grind away.”
Debutant Samisoni Taukei’aho, a late replacement for hooker Dane Coles, came off the bench to score two tries, while Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane and Shannon Frizell also crossed for the home side.
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The All Blacks took time to settle but their set piece dominance soon told as inside centre David Havili latched onto an attacking lineout and flicked a pass behind his back to send Reece under the posts for his first try in the 15th minute.
The All Blacks ramped up the pressure after the half-hour mark, with Mo’unga setting up Reece’s second near the left corner after a dash down the wing.
After Fiji were penalised for collapsing a maul near their goal line, Mo’unga took a quick tap and spread the ball wide to Reece who cantered over in the corner to complete his treble.
Savea barged over from a metre out after the halftime siren and the All Blacks came off with a 29-6 lead.
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Jordan crossed for New Zealand’s fifth try less than two minutes after the restart.
Prop Peni Ravai buoyed Fijian fans in the crowd by shooting out of a maul for his team’s sole try in the 49th minute, but Ioane responded a minute later for the All Blacks with another five-pointer in the right corner.
Fiji’s defences continued to unravel, with Taukei’aho and Frizell blowing out the score with tries from set piece moves.
Fiji’s defences continued to unravel, with Taukei’aho and Frizell blowing out the score with tries from set piece moves.
All Blacks 60 (Tries to Sevu Reece (3), Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Samisoni Taukei’aho (2) and Shannon Frizell; 5 conversions and penalty to Richie Mo’unga, conversion to Beauden Barrett)
Fiji 13 (Try to Peni Ravai; conversion and 2 penalties to Ben Volavola; yellow card to Leone Nakarawa)
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments