RUGBY: New Zealand, who face Ireland in Dunedin next Saturday, romped to a 64-10 victory over Italy at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton last Saturday. The All Blacks scored nine tries including three from winger Caleb Ralph and one for Jonah Lomu who came off the bench to score.
Outhalf Andrew Mehrtens also passed a significant milestone after 30 minutes of the match when he became the most prolific converter of tries in Test history. His third conversion in the eight he kicked on the day (19 points) took him to 141, eclipsing the previous record held by Australia's Michael Lynagh.
John Mitchell's New Zealand team featured a couple of excellent performances from new caps Joe McDonnell and Simon Maling.
Despite their margin of victory, the All Blacks looked a little rusty and this is perhaps reflected in the fact that Mitchell has made three changes to the squad for the Irish match. Despite a return to form highlighted by a wondrous try from under his own posts in the last minute, Christian Cullen has been replaced by Leon McDonald in the squad of 22. Two other Canterbury men have been recalled. Scott Robertson and Greg Somerville replace Simon Maling and Kees Meews.
Italy's outhalf Francesco Mazzariol was suspended yesterday from all rugby until September for kicking New Zealand's Daryl Gibson in the face during Saturday's match. A judicial hearing brought by citing commissioner Dennis Wheelahan found Mazzariol guilty of the offence which occurred early in the game. Mazzariol (27) pleaded guilty.
Wales, for all their grit and resilience couldn't prevent South Africa from beating them 34-19 in the first Test at Bloemfontein. Bobby Skinstad, Marius Joubert, Victor Hatfield and Faan Raucenbach crossed for tries while referee Kelvin Deaker also awarded the Springboks a penalty try.
Welsh wingers Craig Morgan and Rhys Williams crossed the South African line while the remainder of the visitor's points came from the boot of outhalf Stephen Jones. He kicked two penalties and a dropped goal.
