New Zealand ran in eight tries as they swept aside South Africa’s Sharks to win 54-0 in their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour clash in wet Durban this morning.
The match was played in tough conditions that made running rugby difficult and led to numerous errors, but it was still a commanding display from the tourists, who never looked troubled in the contest.
It followed a less impressive 38-21 win over the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, a scoreline that flattered the All Blacks, with the scores level at 14-14 after 65 minutes.
There was a poignant moment before the game in Durban when All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu, who played 103 tests for the side before retiring from international rugby in 2015, led a one-man haka in response to the New Zealand side’s challenge.
Clearly emotional, the 44-year-old wiped away tears after completing the haka.
He came onto the field after 61 minutes, having joined the Sharks on a short-term contract in a player/mentor role last month.
Wing Fehi Fineanganofo scored the first of his two tries in the 18th minute before Damian McKenzie added a second to give the All Blacks a 14-0 halftime lead.
They made a fast start to the second half when Caleb Clarke crossed for a third try, before Fineanganofo added his second following a period of scrappy play as the slippery ball eluded both teams.
The under-strength Sharks were being stretched at this point, and Beauden Barrett crossed to score a fifth try within the first hour.
There were more tries for scrum-half Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Sam Darry as the home side barely got out of their half in the second period.
Source: Flashscore
