New Zealand crush Fiji

Aurélie Satchelli, Media365, published on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 8:30 am.

In their final match before the Rugby Championship, New Zealand defeated Fiji 47-5 in San Diego, California.

After beating England 16-15 and then 24-17 to start a summer tour that marked the beginning of the Scott Robertson era, when he replaced Ian Foster after losing the World Cup final, the All Blacks headed to the United States to face Fiji on Friday night. In San Diego, California, where they played for the first time in 44 years, they won 47-5, in front of 33,000 spectators. In this first match between the two teams in three years, no fewer than six New Zealand players honoured their first choice: Billy Proctor, George Bell, Basilio Toso, Sam Dare, Wallace Settee and Noah Hotham.It was a real attacking fest, with four tries scored in the first half and three in the second. Caleb Clarke opened the scoring first in the eighth minute, then Cortez Ratima (who was later injured) doubled the lead in the 12th minute (14-0). Castres' Vilimoni Botitu gave the Fijians hope in the 18th minute (14-5), but Billy Proctor and then Ardie Savea (who had taken the haka for the first time in his career before the match) allowed the All Blacks to return to the dressing room leading 26-5.

seven different signs

Four minutes into the second half, Sipho Rees added to the All Blacks' advantage (33-5), before Ethan de Groot also scored on the hour mark (40-5). Three minutes before the siren, George Bell, for his first choice, wrapped up the New Zealand fest, making it seven different goals for the All Blacks! Scrum-half Damien McKenzie had a near perfect game, converting six tries. But he didn't have a single try penalty. “I’m really pleased with the six new players. They’ve all played their part, put in great performances. Noah (Hotham) came on very early and made a big step forward. It was a physical test… physical like the England game. We have to be better at finishing. We created a lot of things but kept them in the game for too long by not executing them.” Sky Sports Scott Robertson, who thus begins his tenure with three wins. Now the Rugby Championship looms, with two matches against Argentina on August 10 and 17.