The All Blacks crushed Samoa 101-14 on Wednesday in a one sided match that once again highlighted the ever widening gap between rugby’s rich and poor nations.
New Zealands 15 tries, on the way to their fifth century in test match rugby, handed the proud South Pacific Island nation their heaviest ever defeat.
New Zealand fullback Mils Muliaina scored three tries before he was taken off at halftime while Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui crossed twice each.
Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Isaia Toeava and Piri Weepu also scored tries. Stuart Dickinson awarded a penalty try and Dan Carter and Donald combined to kick 13 conversions.
“We got what we needed to get out of it,” New Zealand forwards coach Steve Hansen said in a televised interview.
“There were no injuries as well so it was very pleasing.”
Samoan born All Black captain on the night Rodney So’oialo said the match was the perfect practice game for the Tri-nations decider against Australia in Brisbane on September 13th.
“I think the boys really enjoyed it out there today,” So’oialoi said.
“The boys haven’t played for a couple of weeks so they really needed needed this game to turn their bodies over and get back on track for next week.”
Samoa were forced to field a depleted team as their top players had club commitments in Europe and elsewhere abroad. The did manage two consolation tries though, with the second from Alafoti Faosiliva an absolute classic example of what the players could be capable of.
“What can you say, one hundred points? But we got two tries,” said Samoa captain Filipo Levi.
“It’s a big step up from playing club rugby in Samoa but in saying that it was a learning curve and a good experience for the boys.”
Time:
08:59
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