Rusty All Blacks swamp Fiji

July 22, 2011

New Zealand 60 Fiji 14

Sitiveni Sivivatu of New Zealand scores the opening try of the game. Photo: Getty Images

New Zealand's All Blacks opened their rugby World Cup build-up with a lopsided 60-14 win over Fiji in Dunedin on Friday but failed to produce the dominating performance they sought.

After leading 32-0 at halftime, the All Blacks were held to only two more tries for most of the second spell, before they broke away to cross the line twice more in the closing minutes.

The shining light for the All Blacks was the performance of Colin Slade, who staked his claim to be the flyhalf understudy to Dan Carter after missing most of the Super 15 season when he twice broke his jaw.

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Ben Smith of the All Blacks makes a break. Photo: Getty Images

In his first Test start, Slade posted 19 points with a try, four conversions and two penalties and steered the side around the park with confidence before he was substituted with 20 minutes to go.

But around him there were question marks over the All Blacks' performance as they struggled in the second spell against a side ranked 14th in the world and lacking several key players.

The forward domination of the first half faded as the game wore on and the decision-making was at times questionable as the All Blacks allowed themselves to be bustled by the Fijians' physical approach.

Piri Weepu of New Zealand scores a try. Photo: AFP

The one tactic which did pay dividends was the chip kick over the Fijian backs, which provided three tries.

In a match billed as the definite farewell for the iconic Carisbrook venue after it won reprieves following three previous Tests also billed as the last, Slade received an early confidence boost with a penalty in the third minute.

Sitiveni Sivivatu, another player under the microscope, followed with the first try when the All Blacks moved the ball wide after sucking in the Fijian defence with a series of pick-and-goes.

Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks. Photo: Getty Images

One of the Fijians' rare attacking periods in the first half turned to disaster for them when Zac Guildford latched on to a turnover ball and kicked downfield and caught fullback Iliesa Keresoni.

Quick ruck ball was fed to Slade who chipped over the Fijian defence, gathered in the ball and scored under the posts.

With 18 points on the board and the initial rustiness starting to wear away, the All Blacks stepped up the pace in the closing minutes of the first half with Andrew Hore and Adam Thomson both crossing for tries.

Ali Williams of the All Blacks makes a break. Photo: Getty Images

But having spent most of the first half in defence, a fired-up Fiji took control of the second half and were rewarded when bruising backrower Sakiusa Matadigo broke from a scrum to run 50 metres before sending halfback Nemia Ranuku in for the try.

The All Blacks replied with two quick tries to Conrad Smith and Piri Weepu, both resulting from chip kicks by Weepu, and Fiji were successful with the same tactic when Vereniki Goneva kicked over Weepu and won the race for the ball over the line.

The All Blacks' superior fitness told as they regained the initiative in the closing stages and picked up a late 14 points with a penalty try and a try to Mils Muliaina, both converted by Carter.

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All Blacks thrash Fiji in season opener

Crouch ... touch ... pause ... engage. Photo: Getty Images

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New Zealand 60 (Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Andrew Hore, Adam Thomson, Conrad Smith, Piri Weepu, Mils Muliaina tries, penalty try; Slade 2 pens, 4 cons; Dan Carter 3 cons), Fiji 14(Nemia Serelevu, Vereniki Goneva tries; Seremia Bai 2 cons).Ht: 32-0.