All smiles: NZ centre Conrad Smith pounces for the All Blacks' fifth try
New Zealand got their Test season off to a winning start on Friday with a comfortable 60-14 win over Fiji at Carisbrook in Dunedin.
As expected, the world's top-ranked team outclassed their visitors in almost every aspect, running in seven tries to two.
Despite the final scoreline, the Tri-Nations champions will not be overly happy with their performance as it sometimes lacked the accuracy that will be needed against the Springboks and Wallabies over the coming weeks.
Credit however must be given to Fiji, who claimed their best ever result against New Zealand, scoring both their tries in the second half.
A 'work in progress' would probably be the fairest assessment of the All Blacks after Friday as Graham Henry and co. implement their new offensive structure.
After a somewhat rusty start from the All Blacks - and some solid defending by the visitors - New Zealand held an 18-0 lead after the opening half-hour.
The hosts gathered some momentum before the sides swapped ends though and took a 32-0 lead into the half-time break.
Deprived of any decent possession, Fiji never seriously threatened the try-line in the first half but matched the home side for half-an-hour after the break.
Colin Slade got the scoreboard ticking as the hosts took a cautious approach and opted for points from an early penalty.
Fijian-born Sitiveni Sivivatu was the first to cross the whitewash for New Zealand, finishing off in the corner just inside the ten-minute mark.
Slade showed great vision in scoring New Zealand's second try with a clever chip over the top which he chased down to score under the sticks after the ball ricocheted off the goal-post's padding.
The men in black continued to dominate possession and grabbed try number three when the ball was quickly spread wide to Andrew Hore, who had an easy run-in on the overlap.
Adam Thomson extended his try-scoring streak from Super Rugby as he burrowed his way over just before the break to give the hosts a 32-point head start going into the second forty.
Fiji made a much stronger start to the second half, enjoying an extended period of possession in the All Blacks' territory and were rewarded with a try when number eight Sakiusa Matadigo showed great pace in tearing down the touchline before offloading to scrum-half Nemia Serelevu who scampered over.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry was quick to call on his bench as he sent on Ben Smith, Sam Whitelock and Piri Weepu for Sivivatu, Jarrad Hoeata and Jimmy Cowan respectively. The scrum-half would soon have an impact as his grubber set up Hurricanes team-mate Conrad Smith on the hour-mark.
Slade's conversion was his last contribution of the match as he was soon replaced by Dan Carter, who was accompanied by the remainder of the Kiwi bench.
The hosts' sixth try came largely thanks to the replacements as Weepu's chip over the top created space for Mils Muliaina and Ben Smith, who offloaded to the supporting Weepu.
Fiji replied via a try from replacement Vereniki Goneva, who showed great skills to chip ahead and then volley again before touching down.
The visitors' scrum suffered for most of the match and conceded a penalty try in the closing stages. Muliaina added try number eight at the death with a break-away score after collecting a long, floating inside pass from Zac Guildford.
Man of the match: A mention for skipper Richie McCaw but we'll go with Colin Slade who responded to huge pressure with a cool-headed performance.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Sivivatu, Slade, Hore, Thomson, C. Smith, Weepu, Penalty try, Muliaina
Cons: Slade 4, Carter 3
Pens: Slade 2
For Fiji:
Tries: Serelevu, Goneva
Cons: Bai 2
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Dan Carter, 22 Ben Smith.
Fiji: 15 Iliesa Keresoni, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Ravai Fatiaki, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Seremaia Baikeinuku, 9 Nemia Serelevu, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Rupeni Nasiga, 4 Sekonaia Kalou, 3 Deacon Manu (c), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Setefano Somoca, 18 Josefa Domolailai, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Vitori Buatava, 21 Taniela Rawaqa, 22 Vereniki Goneva.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Comments
7ton says...
Stag
Aw C,mon
3 7's players is your evidence of " New Zealand's aggressive south sea islands player recruitment policy"
Posted 22:32 27th July 2011
stag says...
Apart from the aforementioned Sivi there's Amasio Valence, Lote Raikabula and Tomasi Cama. Would these players have been offered professional contracts within the NZ structures if they retained their allegiance to Fiji? Maybe, maybe not. Pretty standard neo-colonial stuff by NZ.
Posted 11:04 27th July 2011
stag says...
Apart from the aforementioned Sivi there's Amasio Valence, Lote Raikabula and Tomasi Cama. Would these players have been offered professional contracts within the NZ structures if they retained their allegiance to Fiji? Maybe, maybe not. Pretty standard neo-colonial stuff by NZ.
Posted 11:00 27th July 2011
7ton says...
Stag
So how about you justify your accusations with a list.ton
Posted 08:14 27th July 2011
stag says...
@philmoore: for a man that has shown such admirable restraint to date, they're pretty big labels to weigh in with. If they help you justify New Zealand's aggressive south sea islands player recruitment policy in your own mind, then that's your perogative.
Posted 20:42 26th July 2011
stag says...
justice_4_all: that's a pretty undignified resort to a threat of violence from a globe trotting, philantrophic family man. Sad really.
Posted 12:30 26th July 2011
dylster says...
stag get a life.
everyone else stop taking the bait!
Luckily not all Irish are prats like this guy
Posted 10:19 26th July 2011
7ton says...
stag
As I thought this is just another of your silly little digs at NZ.
What a waste of time.
This is an old and tired argument and you have been asked to provide a list of these so called poached players before but failed to do so.
Back yourself up or shut up!
Posted 09:52 26th July 2011
stag says...
justice_4_all: Brian Smith was an unmitigated disaster for Ireland at 10. Not surprising he's the kind of player that you admire.
Posted 09:13 26th July 2011
stag says...
7ton, I agree that the NZRFU poach players without any discrimination against colour, race, religion, ethnic background and so on.
Posted 08:38 26th July 2011
7ton says...
Stag
The NZRFU, like all, are rightly obliged to pick players without any discrimination against colour, race, religion, ethnic background and so on.
Can you possibly imagine the uproar there would be if the NZRFU would follow your implication and say we will not select you because you are a Fijian, Samoan, Aussie, Irish, or whatever and we don't care how long you have lived here or if you are now a NZ citizen. You are not one of us.
Now out of the current AB's born overseas Sivi may well be at 17 the oldest when he arrived. But came as a youngster none the less like others who came at a very young age, grew up, went to school, played sport and mixed in with all the other Kids and are part of NZ, it is their home of which and they have as much right to represent NZ in sport as anyone else. They did not come to NZ as poached professional rugby players as you have implied in other posts.
Due to immigration from Europe, the Pacific Islands and all round the world NZ has a multicultural society and sport/rugby is one of the things that helps to bond all the different cultures in NZ together. Surely this is a good thing in such a troubled world
Perhaps Stag if you really feel the way you say you do you will have written to the Irish Rugby Union protesting about Court and Boss although they do have an Irish Grandparent
Or maybe you could write to the IRB and suggest a longer period of residency before qualification.
Posted 23:48 25th July 2011
stag says...
@7ton: what you say is true up to a point. Of course there are NZ players who represent other countries. But only those who would never be selected by the ABs.
The ABs should not require Fijians like Sivi given the player stocks that you have. And why should Sivivatu have a 'choice' to play for NZ? He's from Fiji and they have their own rugby team as far I know. This reasoning also goes for Hartley, Hape, Waldrom, Court and Boss; the continued selection of these players will ultimately only cheapen the international game.
Posted 09:04 25th July 2011
7ton says...
Stag
Players like Sivi can forge a career in NZ in Super rugby and still represent another country at the same time and as has been mentioned time and time again on this site many do and a great number of those are actually born in NZ.
In regards to Sivi along with being selected it was His choice, Not yours, to play for NZ. In your own words who made you a "moral arbiter"
Posted 00:07 25th July 2011
stag says...
@justice_4_all: it seems like you don't know whether you're coming or going at this stage: 4 different citizenships, loves the Boks but has undefined links to south africa. Poor fella, you seem to be struggling with your own identity. If national identity had nothing to do with playing for your country, why would anthems be played before games, why would New Zealand do the haka, why would there have been so controversy within South Africa about Nkosi sikelel' etc etc?
With your comments on Best and Giggs you're also positioning yourself as the moral arbiter of sporting heros. Do you only respect sports people who live to your strict moral code? You'd be a nightmare to have on a rugby tour. The much vaunted rugby code of 'what goes on tour stays on tour' would be hard for a man like you to stomach.
As for 200 jobs that you allegedly brought to Ireland, do me a favour with your faux philantrophic nonsense . You were only another businessman looking for a return on his investment. Incidentally I've no problem with that just be honest about it and try to stop enjoying our current economic woes.
Posted 12:05 24th July 2011
stag says...
@ramage: why can't players like Sivivatu forge a professional rugby career in New Zealand at Super Rugby and ITM cup level but continue to play for Fiji at international level? Representing your country at international level is a privilege not a right. Think of soccer superstars like George Best and Ryan Giggs who played their club football at Manchester Utd but played internationally for Northern Ireland and Wales respectively. They didn't take the easy option of playing for England.
Posted 08:42 24th July 2011
Ramage says...
Stag every post you make on here just shows your utter lack of logic and understanding of the game of rugby. At age 17 who on earth was Cory Jane and Zac Guilford? At the most a member of a school 1st XV who had probably, at that stage, had input only from their school. Obviously good players but certainly not at that stage All Blacks. This did not happen until they had the input of NZ through the age group their respective provinces of Wellington and Hawkes Bay before the input of their Super franchises and finally the input of NZ coaches in the All Blacks. Quite frankly Stag if they had left NZ at age 17 I would not have said a word because I would not have known who they were and secondly I believe in freedom of the indidvidual to move around the world live where they wish to and yes even adopt the country of residence citizenship if they so wish. Really Stag if I was you I would leave this issue your posts are becoming more and more ridiculous.
Posted 01:54 24th July 2011
stag says...
@justice_4_all: great to hear your amazing life story, all those countries are lucky to have been graced with your presence. You seem slightly confused; taking up citizenship in a different country has little to do with national identity. People usually do it for tax reasons or to maintain or extend a work visa. The vast majority of individuals taking up citizenships in a different country would retain an affinity or allegiance to the country of their birth (unless your name is Sivivatu). You make that abundantly clear yourself when you talk about your beloved Boks.
Posted 23:54 23rd July 2011
Fred91 says...
I think Fiji did very well compared to any other game it had played against the All Blacks, any this is the world cup which I think its a good sign that they are on track.
Well I think the ref and the touch judges made some blunder on three tries not taking anything away the All Black.
The last 2 tries were questionable and the try by Ali Williams which is a double movement.
Were the refs and touch judges scared that the Tier 2 nation are catching up with them???
Posted 22:59 23rd July 2011
stag says...
@mayce: please take Tom Court off our hands. Isaac Boss is a decent squad player for Leinster, nothing more, nothing less.
@justice_4_all: interesting that you see national identity as a fluid concept. I doubt it would work both ways though. No doubt you would be appalled if Cory Jane or Zac Guildford upped sticks and headed for Fiji at the age of 17 to throw in their lot with them. The argument that it's appropriate for pacific islanders to 'better themselves' by playing for New Zealand is also beyond arrogant. Most rational people would consider Australia a superior country to New Zealand - does that mean all NZers should move to Oz to 'better themselves'?
Posted 17:51 23rd July 2011
Ramage says...
@curates egg" the naturalisation system defeats the purpose of International rugby." Absolute rubbish. The naturalisation system allows millions of people all over the world to swear allegiance to the Country they now live.Many Irishmen who have left their country to better themselves and give their children a better future are good examples. It has nothing to do with rugby because you dont need to be naturalised to play for that country. All you have to do is to have a father or grandfather who comes from England to qualify or meet a residential qualification. So your post lacks any credibility. Some say we are sensitive and I agree we are because for years journalists from the discredited British tabloids have been spreading lies about NZ raiding the Pacific Island teams. I know because I lived in the UK for 7 years when these lies were pedalled. Ignored was the fact that Most of these players were born in NZ or emigrated to NZ as young children and were brought up and schooled and educated in Rugby by the NZ system. So am I sensitive when lies are pedalled about my National team and repeated ad nauseum ?Damn right I am. I note you get angry if you are called a troll, my country has been accused of raping and pillaging the Pacific Islands of their players. So stop this nonsense about NZ teams being full of Pacific Island players because it is not true and you should stop repeating them. I would like to talk more about rugby but I am continually having to repeat to some UK supporters that they have been led astray by the likes of journalist Stephen Jones who peddles much of this anti NZ feeling which dominates this website. Is it because Ireland and Scotland have never won a test against NZ, Wales not since the 50s and England still lose more than win. Success causes some people problems they have a great deal of trouble dealing with it.
Posted 13:53 23rd July 2011