Winger Richard Kahui and Sonny Bill Williams scored two tries each as an All Blacks side with a patchwork look about it ran in 13 tries to crush Japan 83-7 in their Rugby World Cup Pool A match at Waikato Stadium yesterday.
The All Blacks had five players unavailable for the match because of injury and several played out of their normal position, but they were simply too clinical for the Pacific Nations Cup champions, becoming the first side in this year’s World Cup to rack up more than 50 points in a match.
“I think the big thing for us was wanting to improve,” New Zealand captain Keven Mealamu said. “We wanted to put out a good performance for them and I’m pretty pleased with it. We have been trying to work on ... getting the structures of our game down pat. We have improved on that, but we still have got a few things that we can keep working away at.”
Photo: Reuters
Japan wing Hirotoki Onozawa grabbed a consolation try when he intercepted a loose pass by Colin Slade to race 30m to score and receive the biggest cheer of the game. Murray Williams added the conversion.
The crowd at the Waikato Stadium observed a period of silence before the kickoff to remember the victims of the Feb. 22 earthquake that struck Christchurch and the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan.
“It was our honor to play the All Blacks,” Japan captain Takashi Kikutani said. “It was a hard game for us, but the boys are sore. The All Blacks are a great team. Both countries suffered from big earthquakes. This game meant a lot for us, I hope we can [come] together as one.”
Photo: AFP
Backing up from his man of the match performance against Tonga a week ago, where he scored two tries, Kahui was again in the thick of the action against an overwhelmed Japan side.
It was a dominant performance from the All Blacks against the “Brave Blossoms,” desperate to erase memories of a record 145-17 defeat by the All Blacks in the 1995 World Cup.
Japan coach John Kirwan made 10 changes to the team to face New Zealand and perhaps a lack of cohesion contributed to their flatness as the All Blacks racked up a four-try bonus point inside 29 minutes.
Outside center Conrad Smith opened the scoring in the second minute of the game, setting the stage for the point-a-minute half.
Wing Richard Kahui scored the first of his two tries in the 15th minute. Kaino crashed over from a meter out for the All Blacks third try and a try from stand-in captain Mealamu ensured New Zealand had the bonus point inside half an hour.
Two further tries in the space of two minutes by scrumhalf Andy Ellis and Slade ensured the All Blacks had a 38-0 halftime lead.
Kahui had his second try in the 43rd minute and Sonny Bill Williams, who had come onto the wing for Cory Jane early in the second half, got the crowd cheering when he crossed in the 50th minute for his first try in the black jersey, bringing up 50 points for the All Blacks in the process.
Further tries to Toeava, Hore, Nonu, Thomson and a second for Williams in the 78th minute completed the scoring as the tournament hosts ran in 13 tries.
The All Blacks were forced to reshuffle their team for yesterday’s game following injuries to captain Ritchie McCaw and Mils Muliaina on Wednesday.
They joined Dan Carter, out with a sore back, already on the sidelines.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely