Debutants shine as All Blacks hand Flying Fijians hefty loss in San Diego

The sunny California hills sat nestled behind the steep stands of Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego as the All Blacks faced Fiji in a rare international fixture.

The Kiwis were sure to run up a convincing scoreline in the contest, leading by 26 points to 5 at halftime before shutting the Fijians out entirely in the second period to win 47-5.

There was plenty of kicking early and while New Zealand won marginally better field position through the contests, Fiji’s work attacking the breakdown saw them win two turnovers in the opening four minutes and keep the territory battle even.

The Kiwis started to find their rhythm after seven minutes, looking to spread the ball wide through the hands and via cross-field kick. The result was Caleb Clarke receiving the ball on a strong angle just five metres from the Fijian line, a sharp step saw the winger score. Damian McKenzie added the extras.

Cortez Ratima was next on the scoresheet thanks to an opportunistic and agile dart beside the ruck from close range. The halfback benefitted from a strong platform at the previous scrum. Again, McKenzie converted.

Fiji then earned themselves some momentum in classic Fijian fashion, with forwards and backs alike beating players one-on-one and creating half-gaps. Once pressing into New Zealand’s 22, two cross-field kicks from young star playmaker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula allowed his side to find space in the corner and score through fullback Vilimoni Botitu. The conversion went wide.

A midfield break from debutant Billy Proctor set up New Zealand’s next attacking passage, but a knock-on from Ardie Savea saw the opportunity go begging a few phases later. A poor exit allowed the All Blacks right back into the Fijian 22 and after some physical defence, it was Proctor who found the ball out wide and scored his first try as an All Black.

Knock on’s from both sides as the half-hour mark ticked by slowed play momentarily, but another New Zealand break took the game into Fiji’s 22 once more. This time, it was Fiji’s maul defence that stalled the initial scoring opportunity. That was until Ardie Savea wrapped around the back of the ruck and found a gap to dive over and score.

Fiji had a chance to reduce the deficit shortly before halftime, but the ball came loose in the corner, allowing their opponents one final strike which ultimately came to nothing. Halftime score: 26-5.

Powerful carries from Anton Lienert-Brown and Ardie Savea got New Zealand on the front foot early in the second period after kickoff was knocked on. The Kiwis rumbled deep into Fijian territory and once again looked wide to finish the effort, with Sevu Reece the next name on the scoresheet.

Clarke would have been in again 10 minutes later if it wasn’t for an illegal clearout from Scott Barrett making a gap for Sevu Reece beside a ruck.

Fast play ensued and both teams put the boot away in favour of phase play attack. The youthful New Zealand reserves took to the field and provided plenty of energy, looking right at some in the international arena.

Noah Hotham darted around the ruck, Pasilio Tosi made a break through the middle and Wallace Sititi made it just shy of the try line, setting up the pick-and-go for Ethan de Groot who scored.

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Avg. Points Scored

3.6

13

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Avg. Points Scored

0.7

7

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20 minutes remained and Fiji were eager to lessen their 35-point deficit, but New Zealand’s desperation defence was up to the challenge and won the breakdown penalty.

Dynamic play swung back and forth across the park in the game’s final quarter, with neither team able to break the final line of defence, that was until another All Blacks debutant got over the chalk with a pick-and-go, making it an extra special outing for hooker George Bell. Fulltime score: 47-5.