All Blacks v Fiji (2) review
Campbell Burnes reviews a much more accurate and cohesive display by the All Blacks in Hamilton.
The All Blacks were more clinical in Hamilton and will be far more satisfied in their 600th Test match since 1903.
CONTEXT
Dane Coles’ dicky calf saw local boy Samisoni Taukei’aho enter the match-day squad while the returning Anton Lienertbrown and Ardie Savea were both running out for their 50th Test match in black.
Fiji unfortunately lost its skipper Levani Botia to injury, but most of its headlines during the week centred on whether the team would wear special ‘Vaccinate Fiji’ jerseys to help with the push for the Covid-19 vaccination back home, where the virus was running rampant. As it happened, the Flying Fijians decided against wearing that jersey. Shame, that.
Most All Blacks fans were anxious to see a response from their team after being hammered at the breakdown in Dunedin.
In all, the All Blacks used 35 players during the July Steinlager Series, seven of whom appeared in all three Tests. The only changes to the 36-man squad for the Rugby Championship came with the return of Joe Moody (from injury) and TJ Perenara (Japan); Ethan de Groot and Finlay Christie were the unlucky ones, though the latter stayed in as cover while Perenara gets up to speed in the NPC. George Bower stayed in as cover, while Ofa Tuungafasi was added to the squad, making for a topheavy tighthead prop group.
Bradyon Ennor stayed in the squad, though would likely see game time with Canterbury before resuming in black.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT
The Flying Fijians picked up where they left off, proving strong on the tackle and in the collisions for the first half hour.
But Sevu Reece punished them with a first-half hat-trick, and when Savea blasted over, it was 29-6 at the break and the visitors were being pinged at the breakdown by Aussie referee Damon Murphy.
The All Blacks rang the changes in the second stanza but the tries kept coming, while Damian Mckenzie’s trysaver on Ben Volavola was a defensive highlight.
Taukei’aho played 26 minutes on his Test debut and All Black No 1198 scored two tries, both off lineout moves, the first a drive and the second a slick move in which Savea broke right at the front of the set-piece to give him the last pass.
KEY MOMENT
At 7-6 after 29 minutes, the All Blacks were again lacking their flow.
But captain Sam Whitelock calmly signalled a shot at goal from a penalty. Richie Mo’unga kicked it and then a minute later Reece ran in his second try. That just about broke the back of the Fijian resistance, though they never raised the white flag. Good call by the skip.
MVP: NO 10 RICHIE MO’UNGA
Several All Blacks played very well, including Reece, Mckenzie, Luke Jacobson and David Havili.
But none played better than first five Richie Mo’unga, who expertly pulled the strings for 57 minutes, kicked six from seven off the tee and gave no less than three last passes for tries. He runs with incision and passes with precision. In contrast, Beauden Barrett, who subbed him, does not quite yet look on top of his game.