World Cup 2023 | New Zealand qualified for the quarter-finals after qualifying against Uruguay (73-0)

Mission accomplished for the Blacks against Uruguay. New Zealand, needing an improved win to secure their place in the quarter-finals, corrected the Tyrus 73-0, after eleven attempts in the process. Undaunted for 20 minutes, Uruguay gradually succumbed to the pace of the three world champions, led by an inspiring Damian McKenzie in defence. With this success, the All Blacks lead Group A (15 points) before facing France and Italy tomorrow evening.

The traditional style of a World Cup between a great rugby nation and a select group “coming to gain experience” was held in high esteem on Thursday evening at Groupama Stadium. Uruguay, in their first match against the Lions and their last in this competition, showed a very good face for much of the first period. Against the reshuffled New Zealanders, Manuel Ardau’s teammates followed the example of their winger, who was still a creator of some impressive shots from the ground, and who briefly considered opening the scoring in an early game with three attempts disallowed by the video referee.

Behind a mad run from Gaston Meres to create space on the wing alone, Uruguay reversed play down the left and sent their third line, which narrowly missed throwing themselves into the corner, and were finally pushed into touch at the last minute. Before that, Damian McKenzie had his bid for a high clearance from Luke Jacobson disallowed. But the Lions’ full-back finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, behind a dominant rally from 5 meters out (7-0).

McKenzie, as the true second opener, then showed all his talent in an elegant feat: a 50-22 grazing attempt followed on the run, then avoiding a touch with one hand before sending Will Jordan blindly, for his team’s third try (21-0, 35). Despite some great defensive sequences, the Tyros gradually fell away, providing the attacking bonus before the break for the Blacks, on a school hook from Cameron Roegaard to Nicolas Freitas.

Did Tyros last 20 minutes in the first half? They conceded three new tries in 13 minutes after returning from the locker room, influenced by New Zealand waves that rose as they did against Italy (96-17). McKenzie scored a personal brace, before switching to the opener after the exit of Richie Monga (5/7 feet). Time to make two difficult conversions, then concede the goal to Beauden Barrett, also accurate (2/2).

In a one-sided second half, Ian Foster was able to turn around quickly, offering a new warm welcome to Sam Whitlock, who broke the record for most appearances in a World Cup with his 23rd appearance, surpassing Richie McCaw and England’s Jason Leonard.

Exhausted by their final World Cup match, Uruguay consistently defended by dropping back, outclassed by the accuracy of the Lions’ passing and the passing of Leicester Vainga’anuku, the hat-trick’s top scorer. New Zealand ends the group stage with a new offensive display despite the substitutions. She is awaiting the result of the match between the French XV team and Squadra Azzurra to know her final standings, before discovering her opponent in the quarter-finals on Saturday.