All Blacks overpower Canada in Oita sweat box

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They didn't quite surpass the record 66-point margin the 1995 All Blacks achieved at the World Cup in South Africa but sticky, sauna-like conditions in the enclosed stadium made handling difficult to deny them that chance.

 

Canada, who suffered throughout at both scrum and lineout, did have the satisfaction of denying the All Blacks an extension of their lead during the final 24 minutes.

 

The handling difficulties were highlighted in the final act of the game when fullback Beauden Barrett typified the problems when in open territory the ball slipped from his grasp with the goalline open.

 

Not satisfied with creating a record by having three brothers on the field at the same time, the Barretts went one better with all three scoring tries.

It was also a game in which second five-eighths Sonny Bill Williams showed why he had been so well supported by team management with a first 50 minutes full of enterprise and effort

 

Scrum advantage from the outset was utilised by the All Blacks, highlighted by the penalty try they were awarded when they attempted a pushover in the fourth minute. Captain Kieran Read, who played powerfully throughout, was disrupted just short of the line but referee Romain Poite awarded a penalty try.

 

The scrum dominance became the theme of the first half which saw Canada on a warning for their scrum issues in the 35th minute. New Zealand were also able to substitute tighthead Angus Ta'avao after 25 minutes with Nepo Laulala coming on and maintaining the pressure which was largely borne by Canadian loosehead Djustice Sears-Duru. Laulala's stint was ended in the second half when Ofa Tuungafasi got some game time.

 

First five-eighths Richie Mo'unga demonstrated his growing stature in his role with a clever display while Beauden Barrett was electric once again.

 

Down 0-28 at the break Canada could be thankful that the All Blacks had handling issues, several times dropping the slippery ball, a result of the high humidity in the roofed stadium. Scott Barrett had the worst experience, dropping the ball over the line to delay all three brothers being on the scorecard.

 

The All Blacks paid the price for attempting to play at tempo with players caught several times not expecting passes and dropping ball, especially during the first half.

 

Wing Jordie Barrett's eighth minute try was built on one of Williams' midfield charges which troubled the Canadian defence throughout the half. Quick ball saw Mo'unga lob a kick to Barrett's corner on the right and he plucked the ball from the air with ease to score.

Williams scored with a strong charge at the line and then showed his kicking skill by slipping the ball through the Canadian defence inside their 22m area and it was Beauden Barrett who sprinted through to score in the 35th minute.

 

Changing halfback TJ Perenara and centre Jack Goodhue at the break, New Zealand restarted with Brad Weber and Ryan Crotty respectively. It didn't alter the intensity of scoring as within 45 seconds, Jordie Barrett soared high to take a kick, set up the ruck and soon after left wing Rieko Ioane was across on the other wing, after another key break by Williams. And then three minutes later lock Barrett scored on the back of Mo'unga taking a gap, feeding Read who had Barrett in support.

 

Two minutes later, Ioane was in midfield off the back of an All Blacks maul for a pass from Weber. Taking the gap he slipped the ball inside where flanker Shannon Frizell was on hand to make three tries in six minutes of the half. Then after Mo'unga secured a high kick, the ball was moved and Beauden Barrett raced into a gap in inimitable fashion to give Weber a clear run in in the 49th minute.

 

Weber was in again in the 56th minute from a set-piece play off a scrum with Jordie Barrett at first receiver before feeding Mo'unga running back inside him to create the gap with Weber right on hand in support.

 

Scorers: New Zealand 63 (Penalty try; Jordie Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barret, Rieko Ioane, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Brad Weber 2 tries; Richie Mo'unga 8 con) Canada 0. HT: 28-0

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