Thursday, 5 October 2023

Damian McKenzie-inspired All Blacks reach the World Cup quarter-finals

New Zealand made sure of their place in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup after they thrashed Uruguay 73-0 at the OL Stadium.

Los Teros were impressive in the opening quarter and almost took the lead through Manuel Ardao but, after Damian McKenzie touched down, the All Blacks cut loose.

Ian Foster's men made far too many errors in the first 20 minutes, but they eventually found their rhythm and secured the all-important bonus-point by the break through Richie Mo'unga, Will Jordan and Cam Roigard, who added to McKenzie's earlier score.

The full-back then completed his brace while Fletcher Newell, Leicester Fainga'anuku (three), Jordan and Tamaiti Williams also crossed the whitewash in the second period to complete a dominant win.

It sealed New Zealand's passage into the last-eight of the World Cup, where they will be joined by either France or Italy, who go head-to-head on Friday for the other qualification spot in Pool A.

After putting nearly 100 points on Italy last week, the All Blacks had to wait 20 minutes to make the breakthrough here, McKenzie crossing for the first of their 11 tries.

They had wrapped up the bonus point before half-time thanks to further tries from Mo'unga, who slotted over five conversions, a stylish effort from Jordan and scrum-half Roigard.

Uruguay did not allow their heads to drop, but they were powerless to stop New Zealand crossing seven times in the second half, with Fainga'anuku scoring a hat-trick.

Newell and Williams were among the scorers, while McKenzie finished off a brilliant move, and Jordan also claimed a second try.

It was again a landmark evening for veteran lock Sam Whitelock, who, after becoming the most capped All Black last week, celebrated a 150th Test appearance and a record 23rd at the World Cup.

New Zealand will now prepare for their quarter-final clash, most likely against Ireland, in what will be a much stiffer test of their title credentials.

They may also be without tighthead duo Tyrel Lomax and Newell for that encounter after both props were forced off injured.

That leaves Nepo Laulala as their only recognised tighthead, although Williams can cover there if needs be.


The teams

New Zealand:  15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Replacements:  16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Caleb Clarke

Uruguay:  15 Rodrigo Silva, 14 Gaston Mieres, 13 Tomas Inciarte, 12 Andres Vilaseca (c), 11 Nicolas Freitas, 10 Felipe Etcheverry, 9 Santiago Arata, 8 Manuel Diana, 7 Lucas Bianchi, 6 Manuel Ardao, 5 Manuel Leindekar, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 3 Diego Arbelo, 2 German Kessler, 1 Mateo Sanguinetti
Replacements:  16 Guillermo Pujadas, 17 Matias Benitez, 18 Ignacio Peculo, 19 Juan Manuel Rodríguez, 20 Santiago Civetta, 21 Agustin Ormaechea, 22 Felipe Berchesi, 23 Juan Manuel Alonso

Referee:  Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees:  Matthew Carley (England), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO:  Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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