Article: Melissa Nel
An emotional solo Haka from Ma’a Nonu set the stage in Durban for a highly anticipated clash against his former teammates. However, the weather gods had other plans, delivering a torrential downpour that turned the pitch into a soaking-wet battlefield, ending in a commanding 54-00 victory for the All Blacks.
The Sharks initially looked dominant during the opening ten minutes of the game, using the home-ground energy to pressure the visitors. Unfortunately for the hosts, the All Blacks patiently worked their way up the field, adapting quickly to the gruelling conditions.
The deadlock was finally broken after 18 minutes when winger Fehi Fineanganofo slid over the try line. Fly-half Ruben Love added the conversion to open the scoring at 07-00.
New Zealand continued to dominate the encounter, launching attack after attack and pinning the hosts deep in their own territory. Under relentless pressure close to their try line, the Sharks repeatedly conceded costly penalties, preventing them from clearing their lines.
The All Blacks capitalised on this disciplinary lapse when Jordie Barrett launched a pinpoint cross-kick, allowing fullback Damian McKenzie to secure the ball and cross the whitewash. Love successfully converted once more, stretching the lead to 14-00.
The first half ended in a messy, scrappy affair as the wet ball caused multiple handling errors from both sides. Ultimately, the heavy pitch favoured the physical size of the All Black players, while the lighter Sharks squad was unable to utilise their usual light-footed agility or capitalise on their patches of ball retention.
The second half started with the All Blacks immediately stamping their dominance back on the game. In the 44th minute, Caleb Clarke scored in the corner after New Zealand masterfully created a massive pocket of space on the left-hand side of the field. Ruben Love simply could not miss from the tee, slotting the conversion to make it 21-00.
A comedy of errors soon followed as both teams struggled to handle the soap-bar ball in the wet. The All Blacks handled the chaos far better, allowing Fehi Fineanganofo to cross the whitewash for his second try of the night in the 53rd minute. The highly accurate Love converted again to push the score to 28-00.
Trying to fight their way back, the Sharks began playing high-risk rugby. This unfortunately resulted in a messy game plan that put the hosts under immense pressure. Against a powerful and clinical All Black side, mistakes are heavily punished, and the Sharks simply could not build any meaningful momentum.
The visitors showcased their lethal transition game in the 60th minute. The sheer speed of the interplay between the All Black forwards and backs carved the defensive line open, sending Jordie Barrett over the try line. Love added the extra two points, making it 35-00.
The defensive wall completely burst just two minutes later. In the 62nd minute, the All Blacks ran amok as scrum-half Kyle Preston spotted a gap to score. Love’s successful conversion saw the score leap to 42-00.
Next up to join the rapidly growing try-scorer list was powerhouse substitute Timoci Tavatavanawai, who breached the line to make it 47-0. Love finally made his first kicking error of the night, sending the tough conversion wide.
The All Blacks finished the rout in style when powerful lock Sam Darry crashed over the line following a dominant team drive. Love quickly rediscovered his form with the boot, kicking the final conversion to seal the emphatic scoreline.
Ultimately, the Hollywoodbets Sharks were simply overpowered. The All Blacks gave the hosts a brutal lesson in managing speed and pressure under a downpour, sliding and splashing their way to a definitive 54-00 victory in their second win on the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour.
Scorers:
All Blacks: Tries: Fehi Fineanganofo (2), Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Darry. Conversions: Ruben Love (7).
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Hendrè Stassen, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Nemo Roelofse. Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu.
All Blacks: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Kyle Preston, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Ethan Blackadder, 20 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.