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MATCH REPORT: New Zealand weathered an early Sharks challenge before taking control, running in eight tries to leave the youthful Durban side scoreless in a one-sided 54-0 victory.
Before the start of the game, former All Black Ma’a Nonu, in a Sharks jersey, did a solo Kapa O Pango as a response to the All Blacks’ Haka.
The previous time these sides met was in 1992. The All Blacks won 43-25 in what was the final meeting between Natal and New Zealand.
The Sharks started well and were quickly attacking five metres out from New Zealand’s try-line. Manu Tshituke drove hard as Bradley Davids got the ball away to his back with speed.
The All Blacks managed to clear, but another high kick by Vusi Moyo sent play back into the visitors’ 22.
In this movement, the All Blacks’ flyhalf Damian McKenzie hurt his ankle, and it was heavily strapped.
But a brilliant clearance kick by Ruben Love sent the visitors all the way down field to set up an outstanding attacking opportunity.
However, Nemo Roelofse turned the ball over, and the hosts kicked for clearance and won it back.
But New Zealand did well to hold the ball up, and they won a defensive feed into the scrum close to their own tryline.
With splashing with every move, the All Blacks got to within five metres and it was Fehi Fineanganofo who darted over for his first try on tour.
Love converted to take the visitors into an early lead as the rain came down.
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After some relentless phases by the visitors, the All Blacks lost the ball forward on the Sharks’ tryline, and that try went to waste.
From there, the All Blacks were attacking five meters out from the Sharks’ try-line looking for their second try of the game, and Damian McKenzie’s got over once more. But it wasn’t a cut-and-dried try; this time it was awarded.
Heading into the halftime break, the visitors were leading 14-0 after a slightly chaotic first half.
New Zealand was looking dangerous with ball in hand, attacking on the Sharks try-line, and after some slick hands Caleb Clarke flew over in the corner for another well-worked All Blacks try.
The Sharks were starting to wilt under the mounting pressure.
After a little dink through by Beauden Barrett, he followed up, the ball went out to winger Fineanganofo, who finished it off with his second try.
The All Blacks got properly into their stride in the second half, and when Jordie Barrett scored their fifth, they demonstrated their superior skills, even in the wet weather.
After that try, they set up a driving maul and then the backs were playing around with the Sharks as they had a clear run to the tryline. This time it was Kyle Preston who got on the scoreboard to stretch their lead to 40-0.
It was all New Zealand in the second half, and the kids were taught a lesson by the old hands.
Nonu took the field in the 61st minute, hoping to inject some much-needed energy and probably guidance
Timoci Tavatavanawai added his name to the try scorers in the 70th minute.
The final 10 minutes showcased New Zealand’s superior handling, ball control and clinical running rugby as they took complete control of the contest.
Sam Darry scored the eighth try, and Love added the extras to take them to a comprehensive lead.
In the end, experience won the day as the Sharks youngsters were outfoxed by a far superior outfit.
With a minute left, there was a moment of spark as Jurenzo Julius danced his way past a few opponents, but it was not to be for the hosts, as they were left with a zero on the scoreboard.
On Saturday, the All Blacks face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in their third outing on the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Scorers:
For All Blacks:
Tries: Fineanganofo 2, McKenzie, Clarke, Barrett, Preston, Tavatavanawai, Darry
Cons: Love 6
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Nemo Roelofse
Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu.
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Kyle Preston, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Ethan Blackadder, 20 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) & Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
This article was originally published by rugby365.com.
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