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Debutants shine as All Blacks hand Flying Fijians hefty loss in San Diego
By Ned Lester
The sunny California hills sat nestled behind the steep stands of Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego as the All Blacks faced Fiji in a rare international fixture.
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The Kiwis were sure to run up a convincing scoreline in the contest, leading by 26 points to 5 at halftime before shutting the Fijians out entirely in the second period to win 47-5.
There was plenty of kicking early and while New Zealand won marginally better field position through the contests, Fiji’s work attacking the breakdown saw them win two turnovers in the opening four minutes and keep the territory battle even.
The Kiwis started to find their rhythm after seven minutes, looking to spread the ball wide through the hands and via cross-field kick. The result was Caleb Clarke receiving the ball on a strong angle just five metres from the Fijian line, a sharp step saw the winger score. Damian McKenzie added the extras.
Cortez Ratima was next on the scoresheet thanks to an opportunistic and agile dart beside the ruck from close range. The halfback benefitted from a strong platform at the previous scrum. Again, McKenzie converted.
Fiji then earned themselves some momentum in classic Fijian fashion, with forwards and backs alike beating players one-on-one and creating half-gaps. Once pressing into New Zealand’s 22, two cross-field kicks from young star playmaker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula allowed his side to find space in the corner and score through fullback Vilimoni Botitu. The conversion went wide.
A midfield break from debutant Billy Proctor set up New Zealand’s next attacking passage, but a knock-on from Ardie Savea saw the opportunity go begging a few phases later. A poor exit allowed the All Blacks right back into the Fijian 22 and after some physical defence, it was Proctor who found the ball out wide and scored his first try as an All Black.
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Knock on’s from both sides as the half-hour mark ticked by slowed play momentarily, but another New Zealand break took the game into Fiji’s 22 once more. This time, it was Fiji’s maul defence that stalled the initial scoring opportunity. That was until Ardie Savea wrapped around the back of the ruck and found a gap to dive over and score.
Fiji had a chance to reduce the deficit shortly before halftime, but the ball came loose in the corner, allowing their opponents one final strike which ultimately came to nothing. Halftime score: 26-5.
Powerful carries from Anton Lienert-Brown and Ardie Savea got New Zealand on the front foot early in the second period after kickoff was knocked on. The Kiwis rumbled deep into Fijian territory and once again looked wide to finish the effort, with Sevu Reece the next name on the scoresheet.
Clarke would have been in again 10 minutes later if it wasn’t for an illegal clearout from Scott Barrett making a gap for Sevu Reece beside a ruck.
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Fast play ensued and both teams put the boot away in favour of phase play attack. The youthful New Zealand reserves took to the field and provided plenty of energy, looking right at some in the international arena.
Noah Hotham darted around the ruck, Pasilio Tosi made a break through the middle and Wallace Sititi made it just shy of the try line, setting up the pick-and-go for Ethan de Groot who scored.
20 minutes remained and Fiji were eager to lessen their 35-point deficit, but New Zealand’s desperation defence was up to the challenge and won the breakdown penalty.
Dynamic play swung back and forth across the park in the game’s final quarter, with neither team able to break the final line of defence, that was until another All Blacks debutant got over the chalk with a pick-and-go, making it an extra special outing for hooker George Bell. Fulltime score: 47-5.
Great Hit Out! 7 Tries to one. Fiji looked a bit “underdone”
Silver Lake will be happy with a packed stadium in San Diego.
Argentina will give us more of an idea. Then beat South Africa 2 - nil and we can to the Northern Hemisphere and give them “a lesson on how to play “sizzling, expansive, entertaining Rugby.
A good game to assess how SRP form translates into the international arena for the new AB crop. All the debutantes stepped and - and actually stood out. Jordie was way off when he made his brief appearance and I think the midfield offered way more subtlety, solid defense and quick hands that could indicate they would handle the rush defense better than Jordie and Reiko did. Proctor and ALB should be persisted with IMO. Good to see the tight five continuing to work together and a solid step up for the lineout. Both hookers were in better throwing form and hit targets. Scrums continue to dominate regardless of who is on. I thought captain Scooter was a little sloppy - dropping balls and dumb penalties but he has a work rate to compensate. Vaa’i and Darry did well but have some growth on the defensive side with both missing some tackles. Darry’s turnover was classy and brave. Luke Jacobson had a good game and showed plenty of physicality against a bruising Fiji team who brought plenty. Argentina will be a good opportunity to implement lessons learned so far and I hope that includes a move away from some of the early selections.
I thought the new fullas were all mean.
Hotham’s pass is average but his running game and timing are on point.
Kids got a step on him, too.
I can only assume George Bell has some really damaging photos of Razor and blackmailed him to get picked for this squad because it sure as toilet particle matter wasn’t for his 2024 rugby form for the crusaders.
Still, fair play to the man. Bribery or not he owed the country big time and delivered a very busy performance and Ricky Ricitelli himself would have been proud of George’s throw ins today which he would have if he had have been picked like he should of ahead of goddamn George Bell. Still, excellent debut and there will be a hell of a scrap for a hooking spot once Samisoni is fit again.
Wallace is our 8 from now on. Or 6, or prop or 10 or whatever he was the man. Great skills and carry and he’s well capable of liquifying some poor sod in the tackle too.
now that the AB squads have all been given game time…2 home matches vs Los Pumas should provide coach Robertson and co. the opportunity to get those selected to gel a heck of a lot better before going to Sth.Africa for 2 away matches…the Wallabies play the Bokkes with 2 home advantage matches so that'll tell the tale of how well each team is tracking…but yeah.. first off a convincing 2-0 AB’s whitewash vs Los Pumas...a good way to start TRC..
The ABs is almost back to normal again. Great to see. As a Boks fan I'm very happy about it. There is just not another rivalry like the Boks and ABs.
What happened at Twickenham must never happen again. We are going to have a brilliant TRC.
All Blacks have “plenty of young talent”
Debutants held their composure. Impressive! D Mac’s kicking games improved. He seems to be better when BB plays alongside him.
Young props stood up. Wallace Sititi could be anything!
7 Tries to 1
Razor- 183 Games- 5 Teams- 83.6% S/R - Crusaders - Canterbury - N.Z. Under 20’s
Barbarians - All Blacks. 3 out of 3, 100%
Career Span 2013 - 20/07/2024
Argentina in three weeks!
A great win in what was potentially a banana skin game.
Obviously, we can’t get too carried away as the defensive pressure was a notch or two down from ENG but some good signs shown by debut players.
Darry & Proctor look like keepers for the TRC squad, even the 23. Bell, Tosi, Sititi, Hotham, all had good moments. But still down the pecking order barring injury.
Bring on Los Pumas.