All Blacks Defeat Fiji In Hamilton

The All Blacks have beaten Fiji 60-13 in Hamilton on Saturday night, for a sweep of the Steinlager Series. It was a much improved effort from the home side at the breakdown compared to last week, with Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson having strong games. Winger Sevu Reece scored three tries, and debutant replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho scored a double.

All Blacks: 60 

Tries: Sevu Reece 3, Samisoni Taukei'aho 2, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Shannon Frizell, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 5, Beauden Barrett

Fiji: 13 

Try: Peni Ravai, Conversion: Ben Volavola, Penalty: Volavola 2

All Blacks Named For Second Fiji Test In Hamilton

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Fiji in the second test in Hamilton on Saturday night. The side features nine changes from the starting side that face Fiji in Dunedin last weekend, and see's the return of Anton Lienert-Brown at centre after being out due to a elbow operation after the Super Rugby season. Ardie Savea will also return from a knee injury at openside flanker in place of Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson at number eight in place of Hoskins Sotutu, and Richie Mo'unga in place of Beauden Barrett. The match kicks off Saturday 17 July, 7.05pm at FMG Stadium, Hamilton.

Fiji coach Vern Cotter has made four changes to his starting side, with injured captain Levani Botia replaced by Eneriko Buliruarua, halfback Frank Lomani coming in after travel disruptions from Australia, Peceli Yato at number eight in place of Albert Tuisue, and Setareki Tuicuvu at wing in place of Eroni Sau. In the reserves Mesulame Dolokoto and Eroni Mawi are the replacement front rowers, Kitione Kamikamica covers the loose forwards, Moses Sorovi halfback, and Teti Tela outside backs.

All Blacks Team:

1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Scott Barrett
5. Samuel Whitelock - captain
6. Akira Ioane 
7. Ardie Savea 
8. Luke Jacobson 
9. Aaron Smith 
10. Richie Mo'unga 
11. Sevu Reece 
12. David Havili 
13. Anton Lienert-Brown 
14. Will Jordan 
15. Damian McKenzie 

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles 
17. Ethan de Groot 
18. Angus Ta'avao 
19. Brodie Retallick 
20. Shannon Frizell 
21. Brad Weber 
22. Beauden Barrett 
23. Rieko Ioane 

Fiji Team: 

Kini Murimurivalu, Setareki Tuicuvu, Waisea Nayacalevu, Eneriko Buliruarua, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peceli Yato, Mesulame Kunavula, Johnny Dyer, Leone Nakarawa (c), Temo Mayanavanua, Mesaki Doge, Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai. 

Reserves: 

Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Leeroy Atalifo, Albert Tuisue, Kitione Kamikamica, Moses Sorovi, Teti Tela, Manasa Mataele.

All Blacks Defeat Fiji In Dunedin

The All Blacks have made it two from two for the 2021 season with a 57-32 win over Fiji in Dunedin on Saturday night.

The final score flattered the All Blacks after Fiji had trailed by 21-11 at halftime, with the visitors physical game proving a challenge for the home side. Fiji had opened the scoring with a penalty in the sixth minute, before the All Blacks struck back with a try to Jordie Barrett. Fiji reduced the margin to 7-6 with their second penalty before David Havili scored tries in the 18th and 22nd minute. Fiji was then in for their first try after Albert Tuisue scored off a lineout drive. 

The second half opened with a try to winger George Bridge in the 44th minute, but Fiji struck back with one of their own to Mesulame Kunavula in the 49th minute. Replacement Dane Coles was next to score off another lineout drive, before Fiji were awarded a a penalty try after David Havili was ruled to have pulled down a rolling maul close to the line. Coles was in again for his second try of another lineout drive in the 65th minute, before back replacement Will Jordan scored in the 70th minute. It was then the 74th minute and Coles with his hat-trick off another lineout drive, before replacement halfback Finlay Christie darting run near the Fiji line had Coles touching down for his fourth after picking up a loose ball. 

New Zealand All Blacks: 57 

Tries: Jordie Barrett, David Havili 2, George Bridge, Dane Coles 4, Will Jordan tries; Beauden Barrett 6 con) 

Fiji: 23 

Tries: (Albert Tuisue, Mesulame Kunavula tries; Penalty try; Ben Volavola 2 pen). HT: 21-11

All Blacks Named For First Fiji Test

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Fiji in the second match of the Steinlager Series at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7.05pm, Saturday 10 July.

The side features 13 changes to the starting side that faced Tonga last week, with only centre Rieko Ioane and winger George Bridge remaining to start. Halfback Aaron Smith will captain the side for the first time, in his 98th test, and will pair with Beauden Barrett at first five. Brodie Retallick also starts his first match for the All Blacks since 2019, and partners Patrick Tuipulotu at lock. 

All Black Team: 

1. George Bower 
2. Codie Taylor 
3. Nepo Laulala 
4. Patrick Tuipulotu 
5. Brodie Retallick 
6. Shannon Frizell 
7. Ethan Blackadder 
8. Hoskins Sotutu 
9. Aaron Smith - captain
10. Beauden Barrett 
11. George Bridge 
12. David Havili 
13. Rieko Ioane 
14. Sevu Reece 
15. Jordie Barrett 

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles 
17. Ethan de Groot 
18. Tyrel Lomax 
19. Samuel Whitelock 
20. Luke Jacobson 
21. Finlay Christie 
22. Damian McKenzie 
23. Will Jordan 

Fiji Team:

1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Temo Mayanavanua
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Johnny Dyer
7. Mesulame Kunavula
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Levani Botia (c)
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Eroni Sau
15. Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves:

16. Peni Narisia
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Leeroy Atalifo
19. Tevita Ratuva
20. Peceli Yato
21. Setareki Tuicuvu
22. Eneriko Buliruarua
23. Manasa Mataele