Hooker Dane Coles scored four tries, three off the back of the rolling maul, to help New Zealand see off a spirited Fiji side 57-23 in an entertaining Test under the roof of the Otago Regional Stadium in Dunedin.
The All Blacks were expecting a much stiffer contest than in their 102-0 romp against a weakened Tonga side last week and the Fijians delivered with a physical challenge their hosts struggled to contain at times.
While a home win never really looked in doubt, five-pointers for the Fijians from Albert Tuisue and Mesulame Kunavula as well as a penalty try will give New Zealand coach Ian Foster much to ponder ahead of next week’s second Test in Hamilton.
The All Blacks ran in nine tries in total – three in the last 15 minutes as their opponents tired – but still posted their lowest tally in six tests against the Fijians going back to 1987.
“Fiji brought a lot of intensity and probably showed us an intensity we needed to (match) in the second half,” said New Zealand skipper Aaron Smith.
“We knew it was going to be a different beast this week. They’ve got some quality players and I think both teams will take a lot out of this. Bring on next week, it’s going to be awesome.”
The All Blacks led 21-6 at the end of the first quarter after fullback Jordie Barrett opened their account and David Havili marked his return to Test rugby with two tries from inside centre.
Beauden Barrett was left feeling sore and sorry against the All Blacks. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The Fijians, inspired by Europe-based flanker Johnny Dyer and skipper Levani Botia, then stepped up a gear and started dominating the tackle area.
They got their reward when No.8 Albert Tuisue crashed over for a try in the 28th minute after a catch-and-drive and were trailing only 21-11 at halftime.
All Blacks winger George Bridge crossed for New Zealand’s fifth try four minutes into the second half but flanker Mesulame Kunavula quickly responded for the visitors after a trick play from another attacking lineout.
Fiji fullback Kini Murimurivalu was yellow carded for a ruck infringement in the 52nd minute and the All Blacks immediately rolled a maul over the try line with Coles coming up with the ball.
The Pacific islanders hit back again just after the hour mark when New Zealand brought down their rolling maul close to the line and the referee awarded a penalty try and sent Havili to the sin bin.
In the last 15 minutes, Coles rode the New Zealand maul to two more tries and grabbed another at the end of a flowing move, while replacement back Will Jordan added another to his Test tally after crossing five times last week against Tonga.
Kane
Roar Guru
He's at it again... "I have no idea why the referee penalised him there, I mean there is a possibility he was using his forearms to support his weight but they were under the ball" How on earth can you be supporting your own weight when both forearms are flat on the ground :laughing: That is essentially planking.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
Been away all week so finally getting onto to watching the game before tonight's one. 1st I thought Fiji were great, with there players playing in Europe it was only a matter of time before they came through, with Cotter as coach and top assistants they will build nicely to the World Cup, cant wait to see what they back it up with tonight. Big team change around with guys getting there first starts of the season and it showed, new combos and just the general slow ABs start to the season like the last 15 years. Fosters got to see everyone though and with a massive test schedule coming the next 3 years where going to see the core 15 play but then also a lot of rotation. ABs didn't control the breakdown well, where early on and at other times we got turned over and a lot of the time we only had 1 or 2 defenders at the ruck and payed for it. I thought B Barrett did well, we kept the attack varied with kicks out wide, passing wide and then also attacked through the midfield and kept it tight in the forwards always changing it up. Defensively the ABs seemed to miss a few, but then Fiji were more physical then expected and then others couldn't miss a tackle.
Yes I doubt the gameplan had being dominated at the breakdown as part of it but I thought they came back well enough in the second half and even tho that area was an issue I still thought they stuck to their processes well enough. It will be good to see the response this week but they left at least 2 tries on the pitch last week with Christie not passing to BB and with Sotuto also not passing to BB off the scrum when close to the Fijian line.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
Pretty certain they didn't. If I understood Plum correctly from before the tests the wanted to dominate in the forwards and use phase play. Some of their setup on saturday looked like they needed another phase or 2 then a quick point of attack change to outside centre against a passive or retreating defence with a loose forward partner (they did this a few times agin Tonga). Even Foster made comment after the Fiji game that they kicked too much and didn't phase play in the way desired. Apart from anything else this seems an indirect criticism of BB as well.
WEST
Roar Guru
Yes it’s impossible to please everyone. Particularly anyone who isn’t a fan of the All Blacks.. biggest haters. Bok supporters, wallabies supporters.. Northern hemisphere rugby supporters.. then the NZ supporters. The black Jersey needs to be worn over thick skin
Republican
Guest
The ABs play Australia ad nauseum and we are a tier 2 team.
Jockstar
Guest
Fiji are better than the wallabies now. Says a lot for super rugby developing players
CUW
Roar Rookie
@ Old Bugger play him again - give him another chance . he deserves it. given the physical hammering NZ will come out breathing fire next time - so lets see what he can do. after all people know what RM can do . what im not sure is DM as 10 tho...
CUW
Roar Rookie
and just how are they going to do that? dont forget both gallagher and french finals were on the same weekend! european schedules are made by TV companies basically. it will be interesting to see how the new pro 14 thingy is going to be, with saffa teams joining.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Well said mate. Yeah, even when they put on a good performance, people will knit pick certain parts of the games or players who may not have played well. NZ Rugby fans are a fickle bunch (I am included in this at times).
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
What really interests me about this game is how there has been no calls against the referee team for a blatant hit against the head of DMac by the Fiji flanker. If it had been any team except the ABs there would have been loud condemnations from everyone on this site. Just goes to show that people really are as one eyed as they portray themselves on this site at times.
Old Bugger
Guest
Barring injuries NV, I'd look at the following over next 2yrs: 15 Macca 14 Bridge 13 Ennor 12 ALB 11 Clarke 10 Mounga 9 Smith 8 Jacobson 7 Cane (c) 6 Frizell 5 Guzzler 4 Parkinson 3 Tuungafasi 2 Taylor 1 Moody 16 Samisoni T 17 Bower/De Groot 18 Lomax/ Taavao 19 Tupou 20 Papaalii 21 Weber/Christie 22 BB 23 Will Jordan My biggest call is to let Sam W go and bring in a bigger bloke like Pari Pari...and yes, I realise PP's still lacking in aerobics and down-right grunt but, chuck him in on the EOYT and start building him up for 2023. Sam's leadership and experience will be sorely missed but, I think his legs just aren't getting any quicker. OT at prop has the size - now he needs to show if can make yards with carries. Moody has size and has shown he's a capable carrier. But both these blokes, have got to improve their carry/metres stats. And before anyone gets their knickers in a twist - Taavao has shown that he's got the straightest back for a No3 these past 2-3years and why, the Chiefs scrum has always managed to get one over, all NZ SR packs this year. So unless someone else comes along....I passed on big Karl and Nepo because I haven't seen either of them rack up the carry metres. But, that's just my glasses fogging up I guess. Every team needs a bolter - my one is Samisoni T from the Chiefs at hooker. If he plays again like he did this year, he will deserve the bolter's call. He's big, he's mobile and he's quite the quick bloke. His line out throwing has improved exponentially and all going to plan, he will be throwing to 2 locks in the Chiefs next year - Guzzler and Tupou. It's just a combo thingy. Also, the jury for me is still out on No6 but unless they find someone else for the EOYT then, whoever is coach, either lays down the cards on Frizell now or start to look at someone else - maybe Grace...I dunno. What we need is a No6 who can carry, break tackles and offload and put the shoulder in, on defensive hits. I'm in 2 minds between Macca and Will J but I went with Macca so that Jordan gives me a 2 position cover on the bench. I've stuck with BB cos I think he will have more impact, from the bench as a No10. I chose Ennor because I suggest, when he's fit and on top of his game, he possesses all abilities that you look for in a No13 like reading defence lines but his biggest asset I think, is an ability to distribute left and right to let his outsides go. Reiko has to learn this art of distributing. The ABs have been fortunate throughout their history for having fleet-footed, soft hands distributors who can defend like hell type of players, gracing the No13 jersey. Ive seen a few over the past 60yrs and I just think this bloke, fits that program. Lastly, my wings....both these blokes are big and strong - not necessarily quick but they have safe and soft hands, agile ability to change direction, strong defenders and able to stand and offload if needed. Why didn't I go with Reiko - it's really a choice, that's all. Reiko would be my next cab off the rank.
I thought the ABs stayed to their structures in both tests so far, despite the scorelines.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
I don't particularly care about the scoreline. I like to see them play "properly" (that is with correct structures - particularly in the forwards). The score board can look after itself. The Lions had a big score over Natal but they largely did all the basic things they needed to do. As a consequence it was a more satisfying game to watch as well.
potsie
Guest
Fiji have a great top XV but not a lot of depth. They played 6 or 7 second stringers against Uruguay and it made a difference especially on defence. If they had played Nayacelevu at centre against Uruguay instead of Radradra, then Cat wouldn't have cut up the Fijian defence and they would have won fairly comfortably.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Yes, but the 2nd options are prop are not great. Beyond Ofa and Moody the rest are not Test class yet if you compare with England, S.A and France especially in general play. Laulala and Tuikunafe can scrum but that's it ...
Kane
Roar Guru
That’s only if you ignore the fact the Fijian placed his hand on the ground before putting his hands on the ball which is illegal. Then you need to ignore that he did strip the ball.
Double Agent
Guest
How was his last try a try? Blatant holding on by the tackled player. No advantage.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
But he had the ball… this is not just Coles who does this. I see it quite often.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
FIJI have the guys to beat any team – IF they have the chance to be in training together for 4 weeks under a god set of coaches. They had two months together before the WC and lost to Uruguay. Don't mean to come down on Fiji - I really want them to be successful and I admire them a lot - but let's put things in perspective. We all agree that Fiji has huge potential to become a world-class team, but it takes a bit more than training together for four weeks.