The All Blacks have tuned up for their Test series against the British and Irish Lions by overpowering Samoa 78-0 in Auckland.
In their first hitout of the season, New Zealand produced some expansive rugby as they ran in 12 tries on Friday night at Eden Park.
Five-eighth Beauden Barrett and No.8 Ardie Savea each grabbed a double, with Barrett, in his 50th Test, kicking seven conversions for a personal haul of 24 points.
Coach Steve Hansen said it was a good start to the international season but reckoned there was plenty of work to do before the first Test against the Lions at the same venue next weekend.
“We were playing opposition where most of the guys haven’t played for five weeks,” he said.
“We’re not reading too much into their performance or ours.”
Hansen said the All Blacks had managed to get some good combinations working.
“Just about everybody that played showed nice touches at various times through the night, so it was pleasing.”
Samoa coach Alama Ieremia said his players managed to ask questions in the opening half-hour but got punished for their mistakes.
The former All Black said there was plenty of disappointment in how the score blew out.
“In terms of the players, I’m are really proud of the effort that went into the first half,” he said.
“Unfortunately, when you play the All Blacks, you get punished and we got punished very much tonight.”
The All Blacks repelled a strong Samoan start before scoring on their first attack.
From a lineout misthrow by the visitors, Barrett’s dab and offload led to a touchdown for centre Anton Lienert-Brown.
Samoa were their usual physical selves and almost grabbed the equalising try midway through the opening half.
Winger Tim Nanai-Williams’ step opened up the All Blacks’ midfield defence but the move ended with second-five Alapati Leiua’s wayward pass.
However Leiua followed up with a break that caused more problems before Samoa paid for a dropped ball when hot in attack.
Fullback Ben Smith, who was impressive at the back on his elevation to stand-in Test skipper, picked up the loose ball and headed upfield.
The swift counter was finished by Barrett toeing ahead a loose offload and following up to score on the half-hour.
From there All Blacks ran away with the game, tries to Ardie Savea and Sonny Bill Williams off solid scrums helping to make it 28-0 at halftime.
The onslaught continued after the restart, with winger Israel Dagg finishing in the corner.
The All Blacks produced some sweeping moves as winger Julian Savea, hooker Codie Taylor, Barrett and replacement loose forward Vaea Fifita, on debut, all crossed.
Outside back Jordie Barrett also earned his first cap, coming on just after the hour and following brother Beauden and Scott into Test football.
Further tries in the last nine minutes to substitute halfback TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea and flanker Sam Cane completed the rout.
Londoner
Guest
Firstly to Jacko, RL is played professionally in England, France, Australia, PNG and New Zealand. At semi pro level in Wales. There's a decent amateur scene in many other nations. So don't bash RL with this 2.5 nations rubbish...you do realise France have won a WC and beaten Oz a good 10 times down the years? About eligibility.. Sport has to have some credibility and be fair on the likes of Argentina and Georgia who are not going to draft in foreign trained talent to their national side.. It also needs to do something to make Samoa v Abs more competitive... I would say switches allowed... With rules. 1. There must be a stand down period of at least 12 and ideally 36 months of not playing for another nation 2. Player must have parentage from the new nation to qualify. 3. Maybe a 5 year residency requirement if the above does not apply ie 2.
Mike Julz
Guest
I was talking about RL teams nowadays. hehe. The Kangaroos might have come close, but this ABs are just on another level.
Johnno
Guest
RL's best can't even compare aye, what about the kangaroos or the great dragon's sides of the 1960's, or the QLD side last 10 years etc. Or some of those canbera and broncos sides in the 90's.
Mike Julz
Guest
Samoa had a close game against the ABs in Samoa tho. I think the RL eligibility rules only suits their game, considering its the only OTHER competition they get outside the BIG THREE. It seems you forget that Samoa and other Pacific nations WILL show up when it matters the most, i.e. the Apia Park first ever ABs match and the RWC. Last nights game well, Samoa had a good team, they just came up against one of the absolute best rugby team we've ever seen. RLs best cant even compare. If Samoa had played the Wallabies last night, it would definitely be similar to those scores you put up from league, 30- nil or 40-nil. Samoa wouldve put up a fight against the Wallabies, they would've score tries thats for sure, and lets not forget they did beat them before. What I do suggest tho, for example, is players who have have retired from playing for the All Blacks but finished their rugby career in Europe or Japan. Those guys should've eligible to play for the Pacific Island teams. Muliaina, Jerry Collins, Rodney Sooialo, Chris Masoe, Lelia Masaga, would've played for Samoa at the 2015 RWC. Maa Nonu would've been a great addition to the Manu side at the next RWC. They should allow these players and other Pacific players to be eligible to play for their Pacific sides. Because these former ABs stars are still big names in rugby and thats adding more star power to the RWC.
Johnno
Guest
Jacko, you are so wrong. And no your not seeing 80-0 thrashings by the Big 3 towards the pacific islander sides now in rugby league. Samoa almost beat NZ in 2014 in the 4 Nations. Have you asked the Samoan players how they feel about having players make 1 switch per career have you? I think not. You think the Samoan boys would prefer honourable thrashings than being more competitive due to looser eligibility rules, if you do then you are wrong. Oh and drop this world wide spin, I know many Fijians and they absolutely want world rugby to make looser eligibility rules. Last night's game did nothing but negative things for global-rugby. And the Georgian stuff, a few French Georgians of Georgian heritage want to play for Georgia if world rugby would let em make one switch. And half the Samoan side last night were kiwi born. You really think having one country for life is better, well keep enjoying thrashings. Oh and the funny thing is the Samoan PM wants to allow players to be allowed to make one switch per career, so I'm sure he knows how the Samoan people feel more than you. The Samoan rugby union lobbies world rugby a few years ago to change the eligibility rules so guys could make 1 career switch, but nations like Wales and Scotland were opposed to it as they were scared the pacific sides would get to good. Under your model you want honourable thrashings instead of flip-flopping to make sides more competitive. Sorry but Izzy Folau, born in Australia can easily adapt to playing in the Tongan side.
Jacko
Guest
Ben I think part of the AIG sponsorship should encourage the Barrett parents to have 3 more....I thought Scott was brilliant when he came on last night
Jacko
Guest
Sorry jonno but RL has not become more competitive. Show me the proof of this please. So you want players to be available for any nation they want to be and if not selected then be available for another nation? Sorry that is a terrible solution. Samoa is a secont teir rugby nation and would NEVER expect to compete for 80 against the ABs but you go and ask the players if they would rather have played with 10 players who usually turn out for the ABs and see what they say. Some world players consider it a massive privilege to play against the ABs and teams like Samoa and even Georgia at the last WC considered that match a pinnicle of their career. and for the Georgian to be named Man of match in that game will make him a legend forever in his home country. League has 2.5 countries that play league world wide...No wonder they have to select players from anywhere to rep these odd countries at WCs..... PNG, and AUS are the 2 countries that play league and England and NZ are 0.25 each, making 2.5 countries. All playing in Aus or a pocket in England. Why cant you just enjoy league for what it is rather than try to bring Union down to leagues level of participation. Union is world wide. League isnt even Aus wide
Ben
Guest
By the way...the match before. Wales really struggled to put Tonga away. Man..there were a few beauty hits on the welsh esp the one in the corner that got reviewed. I would say a few welsh will be spending a little longer in the pool session this morning.
Ben
Guest
Thought Ardie and Rettallick were outstanding in the pack. Both were everywhere and carried strongly mixed up with good defensive work. The Lienart-Brown SBW combo looked good but SBW got beaten 3 times a little to easily esp by Nanai-Williams. Kaino after being out for so long slotted straight back in. First half there were too many 50 50s being attempted and we were bit loose in a few ball carries. 2nd half seemed to fix that up. I was rapt to see Fifita get on. Ive really liked this kid for a while and a test try with your first touch. Nice. Ive had a bit of to n fro with CUW on here as he reckoned hes no AB and not good enough... in Hansen i trust. How would you feel being Mr and Mrs Barrett today? The ABs seem to have a long history of brothers in the ABs. More so than any other international team i can think of. Off to Rotorua today to see what the Lions have in reply.
Johnno
Guest
Taylor man agreed. Rugby league has become more competitive since the looser eligibility rules.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I was thinking that during the match as well, especially when they mentioned the Michael Jones etc playing both. Everyone wants to see a contest and the best players out there. Fekitoa for instance could have played for Tonga last night if an agreement with the ABs were reached that he's not required for this series. These PI sides that provide so many overseas clubs could do with some return in that way. Obviously it's open to potential unfairness but getting the best and readied professionals out there on the field has got to have merit.
Johnno
Guest
I like both codes, but those who are critics of Test-footy in rugby league should take a look at tonights result and give it food for thought. Both codes there's a divide between the haves and have nots. The PI nations in rugby union will not have the back room staff to compete with the big Tier-1's. Rugby league allows loose eligibility rules that have got looser to make test footy more competitive, rugby unions should look at doing the same if they want the PI sides to be more competitive. Fiji in 2013 only lost 44-0 int he semi to roos not 80. I admit rugby union tries are 7 not 6, so you add on about 1 point each then Fiji in reality lost then in rugby union terms about 50 nil not 80 nil like Samoa tonight. 78-0 is an awful image for rugby union and equality. Looser eligibility rules and more flip flopping will make the contest closer which is what casual fans want, forget credibility sometimes in the name of closer contests. That's what rugby league is doing, the world cup is gonna be full of aussie mercenaries taking hardworking local players, to insure big thrashings don't happen and a closer world cup even if it turns into a heritage world cup. But so what. Rugby in the name of credibility and one country you pick you stick has to then accept the consequences of it's action and strict rules, thrashings like tonight will happen sometimes, and the PI sides will hardly ever beat the big nations unless loose eligibility rules are allowed. Either 1 switch per career, or unlimited switching so make games closer. So if Artie Savea couldn't make the AB's tonight, I'd have no problems letting him play for Samoa tonight. And is in rugby league, when a tournament is on you can't flip flop during the specific-tournament.
Steve
Guest
By the end of WC qualifying Samoa should be in pretty good shape. Just need to get more miles into the legs of these players. Unfortunately most of those guys haven't been starting for their European clubs which is a concern.