Rugby: All Blacks demolish Samoa

The All Blacks ran in 12 tries to demolish Samoa 78-0 in Auckland on Friday, sending out a clear warning to the British and Irish Lions ahead of next week's first Test.

It was a game set up for the All Blacks to clear out any rust before they front the composite team at the same venue next weekend, and rust there was.

If there weren't teething problems in their first run of the season the score would have been higher as tries went begging.

Tackles were also missed but they still kept Samoa scoreless.

The All Blacks led 28-0 with four tries in the first half and added another eight in a sparkling second spell, including one to new cap Vaea Fifita who came off the bench to score with his first touch of the ball. There was plenty for the Lions to take note of, especially the control of the All Blacks forwards at the set piece and the audacious offloads. When there was the merest hint of a counter-attack opportunity, the All Blacks struck hard.

Aaron Smith justified his return to the starting line up as he was central to directing play into the gaps. But against that, the world champions revived a problem of old when they made a slow start and displayed a creaking defence.

Following the pre-match confrontation with the rival war dances - the All Blacks with their haka and Samoa with their siva tau - it was the Samoans who were the most fired up when the whistle blew.

They dominated territory for the opening quarter with centres Alapati Leiua and Kieron Fonotia carving through the All Blacks backs, where Sonny Bill Williams was twice found wanting.

But despite the pressure, the All Blacks remained calm and when the chance came to counter-attack they pounced.

After defending desperately for the first 10 minutes, it took two well-placed Aaron Smith clearing kicks to ease the pressure and once inside the Samoan 22, a pop pass from Beauden Barrett saw Anton Lienert-Brown score the opening try.

In the closing 10 minutes of the half the All Blacks scored three more tries.

The first came when Fonotia lost the ball on the All Blacks line which resulted in Ben and Aaron Smith running the hosts out of trouble, ending with a Barrett try 90 metres away.

Ardie Savea and Williams also crossed the line to have the All Blacks turn 28-0 up and the Samoans' spirited start beginning to flag.

Aaron Smith started the second half using turnover ball to spark a 60-metre move for Israel Dagg to score.

Julian Savea, Codie Taylor, Beauden Barrett, Fifita, TJ Perenara and Ardie Savea also scored in the second half as the All Blacks ran riot.

Beauden Barrett landed seven conversions and Lima Sopoaga kicked two.

Source: Khaleej Times