All Blacks defeat Fiji in San Diego
MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks recorded a 47-5 win over Fiji scoring seven impressive tries in a game that saw some new faces shine in San Diego on Friday.
Tries were scored by Caleb Clarke, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Ardie Savea, Sevu Reece, Ethan de Groot, and George Bell with flyhalf Damian McKenzie kicking six conversions on the night.
Vilimoni Botitu scored Fij’s solitary try in a game that was completely overpowered by the New Zealanders.
The All Blacks got going early resulting in Clarke’s try in the ninth minute.
However, Fiji refused to lie down and found their response through an unconverted Botitu try which was a fair reward for a beautiful period of play from the Pacific side.
But it was clear from the outset that it was going to be one-way traffic.
In the 26th minute, Proctor scored his try on debut and this was followed by the experienced Savea’s try to conclude the first-half proceedings.
The All Blacks merely continued their onslaught in the next 40, as first Reece and then replacements De Groot and Bell, another debutant, showed off their tryscoring abilities.
McKenzie had a good night with the boot knocking over six of the seven conversions.
Scorers:
For the All Blacks”
Tries: Clarke, Ratima, Proctor, Savea, Reece, De Groot, Bell
Cons: McKenzie 6
For Fiji:
Try: Botitu
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Ethan De Groot, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Jordie Barrett, 23 Emoni Narawa.
Fiji: 15 Vilimoni Botitu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Sireli Maqala, 17 Caleb Muntz, 18 Simione Kuruvole, 19 Elia Canakaivata, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Samu Tawake, 22 Haereiti Hetet, 23 Zuriel Togiatama.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England), Luke Rogan (USA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
Rugby is different 🙌
Ngā mihi @fijirugby #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/VuJur58HUU
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 20, 2024
