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All Blacks attack finds dangerous rhythm late in Sharks rout
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Game 2 of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour began with one of the most remarkable hakas in the storied history of the All Blacks, with Kiwi icon Ma’a Nonu stepping forward to make a challenge of his own after New Zealand led with their traditional challenge.
A sodden Hollywoodbets Kings Park hosted the rare meeting between the sides, with the scoreboard stubborn to begin with but eventually giving way for a late onslaught from a dynamic visiting attack.
The Sharks had a promising start to the game by immediately putting New Zealand’s backfield under pressure with consecutive tactical kicks, the second of which saw Damian McKenzie come down awkwardly.
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The All Blacks’ maul defence was a big part of their early stops, and their scrum was moving forward from the outset. On attack, Ruben Love and Jordie Barrett were putting their boots to good use, with Love delivering an early 50/22.
Nemo Roelofse swiftly stole the ball at the breakdown following the 50/22, then Kyle Preston got the Kiwis back in scoring territory with a break and kick ahead, but Fehi Fineanganofo made high contact when making the ensuing tackle.
With their next 22m entry in the 18th minute, the Kiwis slid over the line in the corner through Fineanganofo, his first try in a black jersey.
That effort looked to be backed up by a Damian McKenzie try minutes later, with the fullback collecting a Quinn Tupaea chip in the 22, but replays spotted a knock-on during the grounding. McKenzie would make no mistake in the 27th minute, when he was put through a gap by his right winger. He was then replaced by Emoni Narawa in the 33rd minute.
The opening half ended with the All Blacks ahead 14-0.
A poorly executed lineout and a held-up effort from Asafo Aumua only delayed the All Blacks’ first points of the second half until the 45th minute, when Caleb Clarke finished a set play from a tap-and-go. Wallace Sititi delivered the bridge pass against the grain to facilitate the play.
New Zealand’s next seven-pointer came through some scrappy play that was tidied up by Caleb Clarke before the ball found Fineanganofo for his second try.
Bradley Slater, a late call-up to the New Zealand team, began his All Blacks debut in the 54th minute when the visitors replaced their front row all at once. Fellow debutant Semisi Ta’eiloa followed suit in the 58th minute.
The Kiwi attack really clicked into gear for a 59th-minute try to Jordie Barrett. Play swung to the edges freely in a passage that started with a lineout just inside the New Zealand half and featured some stellar distribution from the likes of Love, Barrett and Quinn Tupaea, and equally smart pace and offloading by the outside threats and Tupou Vaa’i. Luke Jacobson ended up making the final half-break and offload.
The 61st minute saw Nonu enter the contest. New Zealand broke away swiftly following the restart, with Tupaea beating tackles before offloading to Narawa, who in turn found Caleb Clarke before the ball was given to Preston for his first try in black.
Timoci Tavatavanawai produced a trademark breakdown steal shortly after coming onto the field, and was rewarded with a try a minute later after a period of powerful All Blacks attack.
The Sharks’ scrambling defence was good enough to disrupt New Zealand’s 73rd-minute attack, but an ensuing scrum penalty returned possession to the All Blacks and Sam Darry hit a hard line close to the ruck to score.
Ruben Love continued his excellent night off the tee by pushing the winning margin to 54-0.
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