‘Proud’ Scott Robertson’s verdict on All Blacks debutants in convincing victory over Fiji
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and number eight Wallace Sititi in action against Fiji.
New Zealand’s future in the international arena looks bright after the All Blacks’ debutants gave a good account of themselves during their 47-5 victory over Fiji in San Diego on Friday.
That is the verdict from the All Blacks’ leadership with head coach Scott Robertson and captain Scott Barrett singing the praises of all the newbies who were in action at a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium.
Outside centre Billy Proctor was the only one of the debutants who was in the starting line-up while George Bell (hooker), Pasilio Tosi (prop), Sam Darry (lock), Wallace Sititi (number eight) and Noah Hotham (scrum-half) all made their Test bows off the replacements bench.
‘Proud of the effort’
“We scored some great tries,” said Robertson. “We left a lot out there, and I’m proud of the effort and the six debutants who stood up.
“They showed why we picked them.”
Barrett echoed Robertson’s sentiments and said he was happy with his team’s overall performance, particularly how the debutants’ performances and how they fitted into the All Blacks‘ style of play.
“All six of them, from Billy starting and the result running on, had an impact on the game,” said the 30-year-old. “Big Pasilio [Tosi] getting his shoulder to the line, Sam Darry had a nice turnover, and [George] Bell getting the dot [try] after a couple of nice touches, it was nice to see.
“We talked about grinding them down but doing that smartly. We held the ball quite nicely and moved it away from a few defenders who were looking forward to coming off the line to put a shot on.
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“We shifted the ball the spaces quite well and created a few opportunities by doing that.
“Fiji challenged us in the physical areas. They showed that when they get their shoulders to the line and give the ball a bit of air, they’re dangerous and split us a couple of times.
“We were pleased with keeping them to five points with the flair they have. That’s a great effort, I’m proud of that.”
Darry was not named in the All Blacks’ original squad for the mid-year internationals but received a call up when his Blues team-mate Patrick Tuipulotu was rested or the Fiji clash.
A late addition
After being a late addition to the squad, Darry admitted to being grateful for his opportunity against Fiji after he came on as a replacement for Tupou Vaa’i on the hour-mark.
“It all happens so quickly, and all of a sudden it is over. But it was awesome,” the lock said.
“Taking the field with such high-quality players, growing up and watching a lot of those boys on TV and to them come in and train with them, and then be given the opportunity to take the field, it is just such an awesome feeling to come and join the All Blacks club.
“As Billy said, it’s every Kiwi kid’s dream, we’ve all been wanting for a long time.”
