New Zealand unleashed the biggest blowout in scoring so far in the Rugby World Cup of 2011 when taking a 83-7 win over Japan.
After the minnows of world rugby had made such an impression in the first week of competition, it was reality check time at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton as the All Blacks ran in 13 tries to one for the Japanese.
As preparation for next week's big game of the pool, between New Zealand and France, the game would have been of confidence-boosting benefit, as well as a chance for lesser lights in the home squad for game time.
Given Japan had named a less experienced XV for the contest it was no surprise that even with the changes forced on the All Blacks as the result of injuries they were able to pour the pressure on from the outset.
Apart from some handling hiccups in the first moments, the New Zealanders were in complete control. The tempo they were able to achieve, the drive the forwards were able to switch on, seemingly at will, and the cohesion and speed in backline moves was more than the Japanese could cope with.
The situation allowed flanker Jerome Kaino to demonstrate his continuing worth in the overall forward effort. His fellow flanker Adam Thomson, originally named at No.8 for the game, settled back into his game after injury, relishing the looser exchanges.
Scrummaging issues kept referee Nigel Owens occupied throughout the half with prop Tony Woodcock attracting plenty of attention from Owens and his touch judges.
New Zealand wasted no time in making a mark on the scoreboard with centre Conrad Smith marking his 50th Test by scoring the opening try, coming after a turnover on halfway. Kaino cleared quickly and Vito charged ahead making room with second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu and fullback Isaia Toeava carrying the ball forward for Smith to polish off.
Nonu became the playmaker in the backline with several moves being worked off him and it was only occasionally that he featured in running the ball. He typified his distribution with a superb inpass for Toeava to set up first five-eighths Colin Slade's try five minutes from halftime – the sixth try of the half.
New Zealand's superior forward power was obvious in the second try in the 16th minute. A clean lineout take was moved through the line for wing Richard Kahui to go across in the left corner.
The intensity never lessened and while Japan lived up to their sobriquet of the Brave Blossoms by eschewing penalty shots at goal, even then they were unable to crack the All Blacks forwards' defences.
Their try came from an intercept as Slade attempted to find Toeava and wing Hirotoki Onozawa raced away to score.
Scorers:
New Zealand 83 (Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui 2, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams 2, Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Adam Thomson tries; Slade 9 con)
Japan 7 (Hirotoki Onozawa try; Murray Williams con ). HT: 38-0
After the minnows of world rugby had made such an impression in the first week of competition, it was reality check time at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton as the All Blacks ran in 13 tries to one for the Japanese.
As preparation for next week's big game of the pool, between New Zealand and France, the game would have been of confidence-boosting benefit, as well as a chance for lesser lights in the home squad for game time.
Given Japan had named a less experienced XV for the contest it was no surprise that even with the changes forced on the All Blacks as the result of injuries they were able to pour the pressure on from the outset.
Apart from some handling hiccups in the first moments, the New Zealanders were in complete control. The tempo they were able to achieve, the drive the forwards were able to switch on, seemingly at will, and the cohesion and speed in backline moves was more than the Japanese could cope with.
The situation allowed flanker Jerome Kaino to demonstrate his continuing worth in the overall forward effort. His fellow flanker Adam Thomson, originally named at No.8 for the game, settled back into his game after injury, relishing the looser exchanges.
Scrummaging issues kept referee Nigel Owens occupied throughout the half with prop Tony Woodcock attracting plenty of attention from Owens and his touch judges.
New Zealand wasted no time in making a mark on the scoreboard with centre Conrad Smith marking his 50th Test by scoring the opening try, coming after a turnover on halfway. Kaino cleared quickly and Vito charged ahead making room with second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu and fullback Isaia Toeava carrying the ball forward for Smith to polish off.
Nonu became the playmaker in the backline with several moves being worked off him and it was only occasionally that he featured in running the ball. He typified his distribution with a superb inpass for Toeava to set up first five-eighths Colin Slade's try five minutes from halftime – the sixth try of the half.
New Zealand's superior forward power was obvious in the second try in the 16th minute. A clean lineout take was moved through the line for wing Richard Kahui to go across in the left corner.
The intensity never lessened and while Japan lived up to their sobriquet of the Brave Blossoms by eschewing penalty shots at goal, even then they were unable to crack the All Blacks forwards' defences.
Their try came from an intercept as Slade attempted to find Toeava and wing Hirotoki Onozawa raced away to score.
Scorers:
New Zealand 83 (Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui 2, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams 2, Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Adam Thomson tries; Slade 9 con)
Japan 7 (Hirotoki Onozawa try; Murray Williams con ). HT: 38-0
1 comment:
Hey all blacks are my favoutite and Richie Macaw is so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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