Winger Will Jordan scored five tries as the All Blacks opened their 2021 campaign with a record-equalling 102-0 trouncing of an inexperienced Tonga side on Saturday at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium.
Looking to make a statement after managing only a 50 per cent win record last year, New Zealand ran in 16 tries against a team boasting fewer combined Test caps than All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock alone.
Tonga, featuring 13 debutants in their matchday 23 after COVID-19 travel restrictions deprived them of their Europe-based players, were simply outgunned and outsmarted in a mismatch of a contest.
Beauden Barratt, back in the famous black shirt after a sabbatical in Japan, converted the final try after coming on as a replacement to equal the score in the mauling the Tongans suffered at Albany in 2000.
Jordan came up one short of the All Blacks record for most tries in one match, which was set by Marc Ellis in the 145-17 win over Japan at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.
“It was good to get out there,” said Whitelock, who was playing his 123rd Test.
“The Tongan team were here to play and it wasn’t easy out there.”
Will Jordan runs home a try. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
Fullback Damian McKenzie crossed for the first try in the second minute and, after Dalton Papalii had touched down and Will Jordan and Brad Weber had grabbed a brace of tries each, the All Blacks were 38-0 up in the 20th minute.
Tonga managed to stem the torrent of tries temporarily by abandoning the tactic of kicking away possession but flanker Papalii grabbed his second try in the 37th minute to give the home side a 43-0 lead at the break.
No.8t Luke Jacobson crossed soon after the restart with winger Jordan and scrumhalf Weber completing their hat-tricks before the 50th minute.
The Tongans, many fresh out of quarantine, started to tire and the All Blacks backs put on an exhibition with Richie Mo’unga crossing, Jordan adding his fourth and fifth tries and centre Rieko Ioane racing away to touch down.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu burst through the defensive line to take the score into the 90s with three minutes remaining and winger George Bridge crossed on the overlap after the fulltime siren to take them to the century mark.
“We didn’t get the result tonight but I’m very proud of my brothers here,” said emotional Tonga captain Sonatane Takulua.
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Funny you should say that but I agree with you shouldn’t have been eligible for the black caps, but thanks for bringing up another nz sport that we go alright at. Better than the usual, but they only play rugby
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Funny you should say that but I agree with you shouldn’t have been eligible for the black caps
Micko
Roar Rookie
What, even with two South Africans (one’s not even an NZ citizen yet! :shocked:), and a Zimbabwean in the XI that won? Kiwi hypocrisy much Andy??? :shocked:
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Pretty good! Shame you weren’t there!
Micko
Roar Rookie
How did you feel about the NZ cricket team winning the ICC World Test Championship then?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
I see. Perhaps we can apply for Freedom of Information in this case and dismask the cad?
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
If I had the writing abilities many of you have on here and also had the time away from international rugby tours as I do now since the lockdown, I would be a regular writer.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Your analysis was worth a separate article here on The Roar. Cheers.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
My comment was for Ducky, who seemed unclear on the groups protected under legislation, and others not protected. To be clear, Guests on internet forums are not protected under any anti-discrimination legislation. Cheers
Jason Hays
Guest
Correct, bringing up problems without offering a solution is just whinging.
woodart
Guest
the nrl should be thanking nz rugby. without nz rugby the nrl would have to put serious time and $$$ into developing there own athletes. take away the 30-40% of current nrl players that have been poached from nz rugby schoolboy teams and the nrl would be even more of a one city comp. dont ever forget ,league is just a tv deal from oblivion.
Highlander Tupaea looks good doesnt he. I thought Nankerville was bloody good for the Maori Abs too
Timnaik O'Shaughnessy
Roar Rookie
I'm presuming.
Do you know that for sure or are you presuming?
Not sure I agree with your thoughts there CUW but either way what do you suggest should happen to change this possible outcome? It was a Test so I do not expect the ABs to cruise to a 50 point win and Im sure no one expects that either but the other solutions are dont play them in tests and I dont see how that helps. Where do we draw the line tho as NZ has beaten SA and AUS by 50+ scorelines too. I dont know the solution but I still have a cherished photo of my son and I attending the 2003 WC match between the ABs and Tonga at suncorp and it was 90+ points the ABs scored that night and the score never gets mentioned when we remember that match.
The Wallabies arnt tier 2 ( yet ) and if they got beaten 102-0 I think there would be a national outcry and some major sackings. I know that if the AB got beaten by 30 it would be an outcry let alone 100.
Timnaik O'Shaughnessy
Roar Rookie
That's a fairer representation of what happened on Saturday.
Timnaik O'Shaughnessy
Roar Rookie
Somehow I don't think Wallabies fans would agree with that if it was their team on the end of a flogging.
nroko
Roar Rookie
They have a RWC qualifier next week, they needed game time. Originally the Tonga vs Samoa qualifier was meant to be played in the islands, but COVID didn't allow that to happen so NZR offered to host it and also provide some financial assistance for accommodation travel etc. Both Samoa and Tonga wanted to play the MABs, Samoa said no to ABs that essentially left Tonga no choice but to play the ABs. With Italy pulling out the ABs needed the game also I am assuming for broadcast sponsors reason.
totally agree and Im a bit dirty that they have put him at 15. When he made his test debut v Japan he was sensational and he didnt do much wrong after that but Brown wants him at 15 not 10. PLEASE give him a decent run at 10 next season as he has class.