New Zealand overpower Fiji in San Diego with 47-5 victory

Sevu Reece was one of the try scorers for New Zealand

©Steve Haag

New Zealand 47-5 Fiji, San Diego

New Zealand scored a record seven tries on Saturday in San Diego as they defeated Fiji 47-5.

The victory saw the All Blacks continue their winning streak under Scott Robertson, having beaten England 2-0 earlier in the month.

New Zealand made 11 changes in total from the team that beat England 24-17 at Eden Park in Auckland, with Billy Proctor the only debutant in the starting line-up. Fiji also had Viliami Botitu moved from fly-half to full-back.

The All Blacks opened the game in the 9th minute when Caleb Clarke went from end to end and broke through the Fiji defence to score a touchdown. Damian McKenzie slotted the ball home to make it 7-0.

New Zealand doubled their lead shortly after with a strong scrum, with Anton Lienert-Brown making a good effort and Cortez Ratima clearing the line in the 13th minute. McKenzie fired again in extra time, with Semi Radradra Vilimoni’s crossfield kick allowing Botitu to score a touchdown for Fiji’s only points of the match.

Debutant Proctor made an immediate impression with a try in the 26th minute and Ardie Savea followed in the 34th minute to extend New Zealand’s lead to 26-5 at the end of the first half.

New Zealand continued to dominate in the second half, with Sevu Reece scoring in the 45th minute and Ethan De Groot and George Bell scoring in the final quarter to give the All Blacks a comfortable 42-point win.

Team formation:

New Zealand: 1. Tamaiti Williams 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Scott Barrett (captain) 5. Tupou Vaa’i 6. Luke Jacobson 7. Ethan Blackadder 8. Ardie Savea (vc) 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Anton Lienert-Brown 13. Billy Proctor 14. Sevu Reece 15. Beauden Barrett

Reserves: 16. George Bell, 17. Ethan De Groot 18. Pasilio Tosi19. Sam Darry 20. Wallace Sititi 21. Noah Hotham 22. Jordie Barrett, 23. Emoni Narawa

Fiji: 1. Eroni Nawa 2. Tevita Ikanivere 3. Mesake Doge 4. Isoa Nasilasila 5. Temo Mayanavanua 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu 7. Kitione Salawa 8. Viliame Mata 9. Frank Lomani 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 11. Semi Radradra 12. Inia Tabuavou 13. Waisea Nayacalevu 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo 15. Vilimoni Botitu

Reserves: 16. Zuriel Togiatama 17. Haereiti Hetet 18. Samu Tawake 19. Albert Tuisue 20. Elia Canakaivata 21. Simione Kuruvoli 22. Caleb Muntz 23. Sireli Maqala