The All Blacks produced a stunning 74-6 victory against the USA Eagles in Chicago on Sunday morning.
FINAL SCORE:
All Blacks 74
USA Eagles 6
It is a historic day for rugby, with this match being played between hosts the USA Eagles and New Zealand’s All Blacks at the iconic Soldier Field in Chicago. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:00am (AEDT).
Today’s match marks the first game for the All Blacks on American soil since 1980 when the All Blacks triumphed on that occasion by 53-6 in San Diego, and Soldier Field has sold out with 61,000 due in attendance for this match.
The Eagles will want to put in a solid performance today in front of their passionate home fans and have named their strongest side possible including six players from the English Premiership.
Led by their charismatic Captain Todd Clever the Eagles will have plenty of shots to fire and will be buoyed by their home support.
Make no mistake, the Eagles will have their work cut out for them with the All Blacks naming a very strong side for the match with the biggest talking point being the reintroduction of Sonny Bill Williams to Test match rugby, and many eyes will be on how he transitions back into the fold and how his combination with Ryan Crotty at centre gels.
Dan Carter also makes his return to the All Black team, albeit from the bench and it will be interesting to see how much time he has from the bench.
Aaron Cruden makes his return to the starting line-up after serving his penance and will form a new look halves combination with TJ Perenara awarded a rare start.
Cory Jane and Charles Piatau make up the wings with Israel Dagg at fullback providing plenty of strike power for the Eagles to be wary of.
Kieran Read will captain the side from number 8 and Victor Vito makes a long awaited return to the starting team from blindside. Sam Cane also is afforded a rare start in Richie McCaws absence.
The tight five sees a number of fringe players afforded an opportunity. Jeremy Thrush and Patrick Tuipolotu form the second row while young props Charlie Faumuina and Joe Moody are this morning’s starting bookends with Nathan Harris afforded his first start at hooker.
The All Blacks strength can be summed up with one look at the bench with many regular starters riding the pine. Wyatt Crockett, Kevin Mealamu, Ben Franks, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea will provide the All Blacks with considerable ammunition from the bench along with the promising halfback Augustin Pulu on debut.
Make no mistake, the eighteenth world ranked Eagles have their work cut out for them taking on the number one team in the world but with nothing to lose and a sold out Soldier Field in support, a fast open and entertaining match awaits.
Join The Roar as we cover all the action live and don’t forget to comment as the match unfolds!
Tip: All Blacks by 30
Sylvester
Guest
I thought Carter looked unexpectedly sharp. Made a couple of half breaks and took the ball into contact without fear - all good signs. The goal-kicking was pretty please given he wouldn't have been able to train with his leg injury - two were quite wide and on his wrong side.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Barrett had the same hiccup only a few weeks ago and Carter looked rusty as hell. Even with his bad day at the kicking office Cruden is hands down the best starting option with Barrett off the bench, anyone who disagrees doesn't know as much about this team as they think. The All Blacks laid on 40+ points in 40 minutes with Cruden starting that game, Barrett has not reached the standards he sets from the bench in any of the games he has started. The best team for this week is Cruden starting and Barrett off the bench, Carter is simply not ready, if anyone doesn't agree with that then they don't know as much about this team as they might think.
Sylvester
Guest
Going by Hansen's comments today, Carter isn't in the running. My gut says Cruden over Barrett for this test - could be his last for a while. If Carter can prove his fitness against Scotland, you'd think Barrett is the man for the bench.
Wardad
Guest
So when the boks put 70 on Argentina last year was that an exhibition match ? Double standard applies for ABS knockers as usual . And 52 points on the 3rd ranked team what was that ?
Common Sense
Guest
I bet Cruden will start at 10 on Saturday.
Firstxv
Guest
Once again the percentage stats are misleading where the ABs are concerned. Eagles had 62 and 63% for territory and possession. For a 6-74 result if that doesn't speak for efficient use of the ball nothing will.
Firstxv
Guest
nothing wrong with that, just that you'll be holding your breath for the third world cup, the earlier two to no avail. I won't be. Worst thing that can happen is for DC to go through the year unscathed only to go down in the quarters or semi. Rebuilding the backline around Crudens game takes a lot more time to get it right, being at more pace.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
The media in NZ are estimating the profit to the NZRU for the game at around $1 mil. Good run for the back ups & a nice wad in the back pocket.
RobC
Roar Guru
Aussies. Kiwis. We're all the same to Americans apparently https://twitter.com/livcarville/status/529024342135279616/photo/1
atlas
Guest
Video interview with Steve Hansen here - says HArris 6 weeks and Jane 2 weeks but high probability of re-injury, so off home they go Cory Jane, Nathan Harris to miss rest of All Blacks tour http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/cory-jane-nathan-harris-miss-rest-all-blacks-tour-6121295 and Cory Jane and Nathan Harris out of All Blacks tour http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/10693546/Cory-Jane-and-Nathan-Harris-out-of-All-Blacks-tour The All Blacks confirmed today that the pair would be coming home. Management said replacements had yet to be confirmed.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Hi atlas, is that an update? ..... I was reading this morning that Jane will be out for 2 weeks with hammy but Harris should be Ok to continue (unlikely to be selected for England game anyhow)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Firstxv, I know what you are saying but I hope you are wrong mate. Judging by reading what Hansen has reported, I glean that he feels that the past two injuries were, not your 'usual' type injuries, whatever that means, but he definitely will give him a chance to prove himself. If Carter can get through this tour with perhaps another game and half unscathed, I will hold my breathe for 2015. Survive S15 and RC which will also help his confidence (not that he showed a lack of that other than the first couple of passes yesterday), I think Hansen will pitch him 'top of the tree' again.
Coconut
Guest
Quite right, Its been unbelievable how much the knockers and naysayers have come out to bag this event. Especially from the NH. It seems many up there just cant handle the fact that rugby is moving on, new markets are being tested and explored, the game is evolving away from the 'blazer brigade' of the old, so-called 'home' unions. Now, if we can only pry loose their iron grip on the IRB, we'll be getting somewhere...
atlas
Guest
Cory Jane and Nathan Harris have both been injured and out of the rest of the tour, unsure they'll need another back replacement but interested in who the replacement hooker would be - Rhys Marshall maybe; though Blues James Parsons already there having played for Barbarians on weenend, maybe ask him to stay around?
Firstxv
Guest
The point with DC is he's highly, and by that I mean very highly prone to injury. My guess is he won't last this tour uninjured. He knows it too and rather than play within himself he will be trying to be the DC of old and will go down again, probably in training.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
You mean the Aussie team, who barely won against the baa baa Stop being so precious, good trains run for all blacks, good experience at that level for Eagles. Lots of cash for NZRU. WANT A LOAN, PERHAPS SOME SPOMSORSHIP FROM A PROFITABLE national carrier. (Oops, sorry caps)
James
Guest
yes it does generate interest in particular those managing the game in the US. They now know the standard and will do what ever it takes to reach it especially when ou have a country like Russia who is always investing in the sport voa thier 7s program
James
Guest
speaking of basketball -NZ played the US a few months ago at the FIBA world cup-USA won 98-71 Surely you would expect a better effort from the USA rugby team ijn the same way if we played them in one of thier chosen sports
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
You support tanking then? Stop being so precious.
allblackfan
Guest
ST Rine, the scoreline DID NOT reflect arrogance by the NZRU. The NZRU had initially pushed for a RC game to promote the game but USA Rugby said it had to be them. To their credit, the ABs showed the USA a great deal of respect, just not total respect -- they still have to earn that!!