The All Blacks scored eight tries in wet conditions to crush the Sharks at Kings Park on Tuesday night.
The tourists led just 14-0 at the break before running riot in the second half to claim a comprehensive 54-0 win.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie picked a shadow Test team for this second match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, with scrumhalf Cam Roigard later withdrawn as a precaution. The Sharks also suffered late injury setbacks, losing both lock Emile van Heerden and Bok flank Vincent Tshituka.
In a spine-tingling moment, the All Blacks’ Ka Mate haka was followed by a one-man Kapa o Pango from Ma’a Nonu, the 44-year-old former New Zealand centre who only arrived in Durban last week.
The Sharks made a spirited start to the match, but were held up over the All Blacks’ tryline.
The tourists opened the scoring in the 18th minute when slick hands put winger Fehi Fineanganofo over in the right corner.
They appeared to strike again soon after when Damian McKenzie collected a kick and slid over the tryline, but the TMO intervened after the conversion had been kicked, having spotted a knock-on by the fullback.
Minutes later, centre Jordie Barrett’s cross-kick found Fineanganofo, who passed inside to McKenzie. This time, the TMO took a close look at whether the ball had been grounded before the fullback was tackled into touch, but a splash of water meant there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the referee’s decision. Flyhalf Ruben Love’s conversion made it 14-0 at half-time.
A burst of pace from DMac
The All Blacks silence the Sharks in the first half
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Wingers Caleb Clarke and Fineanganofo extended the All Blacks’ lead after the break with converted tries in each corner, before Barrett rounded off another attack.
That prompted the introduction of Nonu from the Sharks bench, drawing the biggest cheer of the night from the disappointingly small crowd.
The former All Blacks midfielder made his presence felt with a big hit on Love, but couldn’t stop the black wave, with scrumhalf Kyle Preston, replacement centre Timoci Tavatavanawai and lock Sam Darry completing the rout.
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The All Blacks will now travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls on Saturday, while the Sharks continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the URC.
ALL BLACKS – Tries: Fehi Fineanganofo (2), Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Darry. Conversions: Ruben Love (7).
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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The All Blacks scored eight tries in wet conditions to crush the Sharks at Kings Park on Tuesday night.
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