WAIS GUY’S TOO CLEVER FOR WALLABIES

WINGER Waisake Naholo grabbed two tries as New Zealand romped to a 38-13 victory over Australia in the Rugby Championship opener in Sydney.

Trailing 6-5 at the break, the All Blacks notched a record second-half points tally against the Wallabies in a six-try masterclass at Olympic Stadium.

Naholo crossed twice in two minutes late on having set up their second try for Jack Goodhue before forcing Wallabies fullback Israel Folau to limp off after a collision near the hour mark. Aaron Smith got the opening try late in the first half with Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick also going over after the break.

Debutant back Jack Maddocks scored Australia’s only try in the 66th minute.

Coach Steve Hansen said: “You come to Sydney and you expect an explosion and we sort of got a different type of an explosion this time.” World Player of the Year Barrett came in with question marks over his form after a subdued finish to the Super Rugby season with Wellington Hurricanes but he responded superbly.

He made it 17-6 after swooping on a handling error by Dane Haylett-Petty and toeing the ball forward three times before collecting it a metre from the line.

The sides meet again in Auckland next Saturday and Australia coach Michael Chieka said: “There’s no lying down.

“We’ve got to improve on what we brought today and go out next week with the attitude that we’re going to win.”

Wingers Aphiwe Dyantyi and Makazole Mapimpi, meanwhile, scored two tries each as South Africa staged a second half rally to beat Argentina 34-21 in Durban after another slow start.

The Springboks out-scored the Pumas by six tries to three but made heavy work of their victory before finishing strongly.

Lukhanyo Am and Faf de Klerk scored South Africa’s other tries.