New Zealand thrash Sharks 54-0 in Durban
Damian McKenzie was one of the try scorer for New Zealand
©Six Nations / Getty
Sharks 0-54 New Zealand, Durban
The All Blacks made it two wins from two on their tour of South Africa with a dominant 54-0 victory over the Sharks in Durban.
New Zealand handled the wet and difficult conditions far better than the hosts, scoring eight tries in a complete attacking display. The Sharks had early possession and territory, but they could not turn that pressure into points, and the All Blacks grew stronger as the match went on.
Fehi Fineanganofo scored twice, while Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Sam Darry also crossed. Ruben Love was impressive from the tee, kicking seven conversions.
Fineanganofo Opens The Scoring
The Sharks controlled much of the early possession in atrocious conditions, but the All Blacks struck first after 20 minutes. Fineanganofo finished in the right corner for his first try for the national side.
Love’s conversion hit the upright but bounced over, giving New Zealand a 7-0 lead.
The All Blacks thought they had a second try when McKenzie chased Quinn Tupaea’s chip and slid over, but the TMO ruled that he had lost the ball before grounding it.
McKenzie was not denied for long. He soon scored in the right corner to stretch the lead, with Love converting to make it 14-0 at half-time. McKenzie later left the field with an injury and was replaced by Emoni Narawa.
Clarke And Fineanganofo Extend Lead
New Zealand thought they had scored early in the second half when Asafo Aumua drove over from close range, but the TMO could not confirm the grounding.
The All Blacks scored a few phases later, with Clarke finishing easily after an overlap on the left. Love added a strong sideline conversion to make it 21-0.
Fineanganofo then grabbed his second try after good work from Love and Clarke, and Love’s conversion pushed the lead to 28-0.
All Blacks Run Away Late
Bradley Slater and Siale Lauaki came off the bench to make their All Blacks debuts as New Zealand changed their entire front row.
Jordie Barrett then finished a fine team try that showed New Zealand’s handling quality in the wet. Love converted again to make it 35-0.
The crowd then roared as former All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu came on for the Sharks at the age of 44.
New Zealand continued to cut loose. Preston scored after a sharp break from Tupaea, before Tavatavanawai crossed in the left corner with 10 minutes remaining. Love missed the sideline conversion, ending his perfect run for the night.
Darry completed the scoring late, using his reach to ground the ball over the line. The final try sealed a convincing 54-0 win and another strong result for the All Blacks in South Africa.
