08/11/26 02:38:00
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08/11 14:33 CDT All Blacks crush the Sharks 54-0 in rain-soaked Durban as
McKenzie limps off
All Blacks crush the Sharks 54-0 in rain-soaked Durban as McKenzie limps off
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) --- New Zealand comfortably handled the Sharks 54-0
and a sodden Kings Park to go two for two on its South Africa tour on Tuesday.
Test fullback Damian McKenzie hobbled off after scoring a 28th-minute try. He'd
been playing on a heavily strapped left ankle he hurt early while landing to
take a mark, and his exit appeared precautionary 11 days before the test series.
The All Blacks started half of their test XV against the weakest of the four
provincial sides they face, and were too slick for the Sharks on a pitch soaked
by heavy rain right up until kickoff.
They fixed the issues that were shown up while beating the Stormers 38-21 in
Cape Town last Friday. The maul defense stopped two early lineout drives by the
Sharks from five meters out, the scrum was solid, and discipline much improved.
No yellow cards were conceded and the penalty count was reduced on a damp night
in which the All Blacks were too slick.
They scored eight tries, seven converted by Ruben Love --- four from the
sideline and one in off the post.
Love led the All Blacks' pre-match haka, which was uniquely met by a solo haka
from Ma'a Nonu, the 44-year-old rugby great who played for New Zealand 104
times from 2003-15 and was signed by the Sharks only a week ago.
Nonu faced his old team for the first time but by the time he cameoed off the
bench the All Blacks were leading 42-0 with a quarter to go.
After containing a rousing start by the heavily depleted Sharks, the All Blacks
got their first try in the 19th from winger Fehi Fineanganofo after a Jordie
Barrett bomb.
McKenzie slid over the tryline moments later but the try was ruled out by a
knock on. Five minutes later, McKenzie was over again in another splash beside
the right corner flag after a Barrett kickpass to Fineanganofo. Then the
fullback limped off.
New Zealand turned around 14-0 ahead and gradually washed away the Sharks like
an incoming tide.
The other wing, Caleb Clarke, scored from a huge miss-out pass by No. 8 Wallace
Sititi, then Clarke gave the final offload for Fineanganofo's second try.
First-time captain Luke Jacobson put Barrett away for a score, and a Quinn
Tupaea break was finished by scrumhalf Kyle Preston.
Closing tries by Timoci Tavatavanawai and Sam Darry brought up the All Blacks'
half-century.
They face the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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