Twelve-try All Blacks fire warning to tourists
NEW ZEALAND 78
SAMOA 0
New Zealand shook off cobwebs after six months of inactivity with a 78-0 rout of Samoa at Eden Park, scoring 12 tries and sending a message about attacking intent to the British and Irish Lions a week out from the first Test.
Stand-off Beauden Barrett scored two tries, had a creative hand in several others and kicked seven conversions for 24 points as the All Blacks overcame a shaky start against an intrepid Samoa team to display their most clinical attacking ability.
Full-back Jordie Barrett came off the bench in the 63rd minute for his Test debut and lock Scott Barrett also played as a replacement to make up the first trio of brothers to play for the All Blacks in the same Test. They missed the opportunity to appear on the field at the same time when Beauden Barrett was replaced just before Jordie left the bench.
The All Blacks scored through ten different tryscorers. Midfielders Anton Lienert Brown and Sonny Bill Williams both touched down as did brothers Ardie and Julian Savea.
Ardie Savea, playing out of position at No 8, scored twice and Julian scored his 46th try in his 53rd Test. In doing so he moved into equal second place on New Zealand’s all-time try-scoring list with Christian Cullen and Joe Rokocoko, three behind Doug Howlett who holds the record at 49.
Lock Vaea Fifita scored on his Test debut while winger Israel Dagg, hooker Codie Taylor, scrum-half TJ Perenara and flanker Sam Cane also scored tries.