The All Blacks secured a decisive 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday, marking their third win in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. This match served as a warm-up for their upcoming test against the Springboks. The New Zealand side scored eight tries during the encounter, demonstrating a strong performance.
The All Blacks‘ dominance was evident throughout the match, particularly in the first half, where they established a significant lead. Their set-piece play was solid, and they effectively controlled the breakdown, leading to numerous turnovers from the Bulls. Despite facing a depleted Bulls squad, the All Blacks maintained their discipline, a factor highlighted as an improvement from previous outings.
First-half dominance and key scores
The scoring began with wing Josh Moorby crossing the try line after a backline move countered the Bulls‘ rush defence. Moorby then added a second try. The Bulls faced further setbacks when prop Francois Klopper received a yellow card for repeated infringements within their own 22-meter area. Following this, captain Codie Taylor scored his first try from a quick-tap penalty.
The All Blacks continued to capitalise on turnovers, with Taylor scoring his second try, contributing to a 24-0 lead at halftime. This dominant first-half display set the tone for the rest of the match, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess and efficiency.
Beauden Barrett, playing at fullback, demonstrated his passing range and created the opening try with an assist. While he had a couple of less effective moments, including a missed tackle, his overall performance was considered strong. Josh Jacomb, at fly-half, also made a compelling case for a starting position, showing composure and quick hands.
Cortez Ratima, the scrum-half, maintained a high tempo during his time on the field, contributing to the team’s sustained pressure. Anton Lienert-Brown, despite being heavily involved in attack, had a quieter game compared to some of his backline teammates but still made a solid contribution with carries.
Second-half action and continued scoring
The Bulls managed to score their first try early in the second half through lock Ruan Vermaak. This score was awarded by referee Nika Amashukeli, who upheld his decision despite a perceived knock-on suggested by television match official Eric Gauzins.
However, the All Blacks quickly regained momentum. Wing Leroy Carter scored two tries, with centre Rieko Ioane and loose-forward Wallace Sititi each adding a try, pushing the team past the 50-point mark. Carter‘s performance was particularly lively, including a superb break that led to the first try and impressive finishing in the corner.
The Bulls responded with further tries from Stravino Jacobs and captain Marcell Coetzee, with conversions from Curwin Bosch. However, Wallace Sititi completed the scoring for the All Blacks late in the game, sealing the impressive victory at Loftus Versfeld.
Captain Codie Taylor acknowledged the physicality of the game and noted that while the Bulls performed in patches, the upcoming test against the Springboks would demand an even higher tempo and physicality. He expressed confidence that the three games played in South Africa had prepared them well for the test series.
The All Blacks had previously secured victories over the Stormers (38-21) and the Sharks (54-0) in their tour fixtures. The first test against the world champion Springboks is scheduled for next Saturday in Johannesburg.
Source: rnz.co.nz