Barrett brothers all score as All Blacks ease to win

Colin Newboult

New Zealand's Scott Barrett is tackled by Canada's Matt Heaton (left) and Evan Olmstead during the 2019 Rugby World Cup match at Oita Stadium, Japan.

The Barrett brothers, who became the first sibling trio since the Vunipolas to start a World Cup match, all touched down as the All Blacks thrashed Canada 63-0 in Ōita.

Fe’ao, Elisi and Manu Vunipola were in the Tongan team that played Scotland in 1995, but the Barretts went better than that with Jordie, Beauden and Scott touching down.

Two of those players went over in the first half as Steve Hansen’s men took a 28-0 advantage at the break. Sonny Bill Williams also crossed the whitewash, while they were awarded a penalty try, which opened up a comfortable buffer at the interval.

Rieko Ioane then scored in the second period before Scott Barrett completed a fine day for the family. New Zealand were not done there, however, with Shannon Frizell and Brad Weber (twice) completing an easy victory.

It was always going to be a long evening for the Canadians and immediately they were put under pressure by the three-time World Cup winners. From the kick-off, the All Blacks collected and went through the phases, almost touching down via captain Kieran Read.

Kingsley Jones’ charges did well to hold him up but, from the resultant scrum, New Zealand’s forward eight surged towards the line and they were awarded a penalty try for a 7-0 lead.

A second score was soon forthcoming when Richie Mo’unga’s excellent cross-field kick was collected and finished by wing Barrett.

Against the quality of the defending champions, it was a long way back and, when Williams touched down following an impressive step, the Canucks were 21-0 in arrears after 16 minutes.

Canada almost hit back, however, as Gordon McRorie and Lucas Rumball combined to send Peter Nelson clear, but the scramble defence was impressive to prevent the fly-half from going over.

Following the break down of that attack, Hansen’s men reasserted their authority and had the bonus-point secured before the half-time whistle. Although Scott Barrett initially missed a glorious chance to score, dropping the ball over the line, brother Beauden wasn’t so profligate and they held a 28-point buffer at the interval.

Conditions were difficult, which led to several handling errors in the first half, but they were well and truly eradicated in the third quarter. Just one minute had elapsed when Ioane crossed the whitewash before second-row Barrett followed him soon after.

Canada’s heads duly dropped and the All Blacks were simply irresistible at times with the axis of Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett combining superbly.

With the talented duo dictating play Frizell increased their lead, taking Ioane’s off-load and touching down, before Weber twice sprinted clear after good work from the two playmakers.

The game then became loose in the latter stages and New Zealand failed to add to their 63 points, but the All Blacks remained stout in defence and kept the Canadians scoreless.

The scorers:

For New Zealand:
Tries: Penalty try, J Barrett, Williams, B Barrett, Ioane, S Barrett, Frizzell, Weber 2
Cons: Mo’unga 8

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Atu Moli
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Ben Smith

Canada: 15 Patrick Parfrey, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Peter Nelson, 9 Gordon McRorie, 8 Tyler Ardron (c), 7 Matt Heaton, 6 Lucas Rumball, 5 Conor Keys, 4 Evan Olmstead, 3 Cole Keith, 2 Eric Howard, 1 Djustice Sears-Duru
Replacements: 16 Andrew Quattrin, 17 Hubert Buydens, 18 Jake Ilnicki, 19 Mike Sheppard, 20 Josh Larsen, 21 Phil Mack, 22 Taylor Paris, 23 Andrew Coe

Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant Referees: Pascal Gauzere (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)