New Zealand correct Fiji in test match
A much improved New Zealand side compared to the team that beat England last Saturday easily beat Fiji (47-5) in a test match on Friday in San Diego (USA) during the summer tour. The All Blacks, who led 26-5 at half-time, scored seven tries.
Behind a dominant and energetic pack that fired the ball quickly, Damian McKenzie enjoyed a flying start at fly-half, and the New Zealanders, masters of possession, applied constant pressure on the Fijians. Winger Caleb Clarke and scrum-half Kurtiz Ratima opened the scoring for the All Blacks inside the opening quarter-hour, before Fiji midfielder Filimoni Potito pulled one back in the 18th minute from Castres.
Pillars de Groot and Bell points
Centre Billy Proctor and then No. 8 Ardie Savea each added tries in the final quarter of an hour of the first half, allowing the All Blacks to take a 26-5 lead. Winger Sipho Rees, from the start of the second half, then props Ethan de Groot and George Bell hit the Fijian goal in the second half.
Both halves of the team were injured in the first half: Fijian Frank Lomani, who suffered a shoulder injury, and New Zealander Ratima, the victim of a head collision.
Fiji are preparing to face Samoa in a Group A match in the Pacific Nations Cup on August 23 in Suva, Fiji.
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