Dominant All Blacks cruise to win over Fiji in San Diego

Sat, Jul 20, 2024, 3:55 AM
AFP
by AFP
The All Blacks take on Fiji in the USA. Photo: Getty Images
The All Blacks take on Fiji in the USA. Photo: Getty Images

The All Blacks have cruised to a 47-5 win over Fiji in San Diego.

Life under Scott Robertson has started perfectly for the Kiwis, easing their way to victory to round out their July series.

Tickets for the 2024 Wallabies home Test season are available here.

Centre Billy Proctor was one of several debutants in the 23 who impressed as he crossed in the first half for a 26-5 lead.

Sevu Reece's try to start the second half put the game out of reach as they maintained their unbeaten streak against the Fijians.

Hooker George Bell sealed the win with a try on debut as they prepare to start their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina.

There were 11 changes from the team who beat England 24-17 in last week's second Test in Auckland, although centre Billy Proctor was the only starting new cap.

Five players debuted off the bench -- scrum-half Noah Hotham and forwards Wallace Sititi, Sam Darry, Pasilio Tosi and George Bell.

Fiji made two backline changes from team who beat Georgia 21-12 in Batumi two weeks ago, with Viliami Botitu also shifted from fly-half to fullback.

Winger Caleb Clarke and scrum-half Cortez Ratima scored converted tries inside the opening 15 minutes before Fiji struck back through Botitu, the Castres back receiving an inside pass from Semi Radradra after the impressive winger claimed a cross-kick.

Proctor scored following a half-break from McKenzie before No.8 Ardie Savea bagged a try from a New Zealand quick tap as the half-time break loomed.

New Zealand's Fijian-born winger Sevu Reece opened the second-half scoring before front-rowers Ethan De Groot and Bell barrelled over for the last two tries.

Both teams lost their scrum-halves to injury in the first half -- Fiji's Frank Lomani to an apparent shoulder blow and Ratima to a head knock in his first Test start.

It could add to a mounting scrum-half injury problem for the All Blacks, with leading candidate Cam Roigard out for the season and veteran TJ Perenara sidelined by a knee knock sustained against England.

New Zealand's next Test is an opening-round Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Wellington on August 10.

ALL BLACKS 47

Tries: Clarke, Ratima, Proctor, Savea, Reece, de Groot, Bell

Cons: McKenzie 6/7

FIJI 5

Tries: Botitu

Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 0/1

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