Rugby

Ruthless New Zealand beat South Africa by 57 points

For the Springboks, it was biggest defeat in their history, eclipsing 2002 England defeat

New Zealand’s Anton Lienert-Brown cuts through South African defence. Photograph: Nigel Marple/Reuters

Sat Sep 16 2017 - 10:51

New Zealand 57 South Africa 0

Winger Nehe Milner-Skudder scored two of the All Blacks’ eight tries as they destroyed South Africa 57-0 at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday to post a record points margin against the Springboks.

The All Blacks were ruthless in their execution of their opportunities to post 50 points for the second successive Test against their traditional foes, with their 57-15 win last year in Durban the previous largest margin.

Rieko Ioane, Milner-Skudder, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett all crossed in the first half to give the All Blacks a 31-0 lead at the break, before the right winger, Ofa Tu'ungafasi Lima Sopoaga and Codie Taylor all scored in the second half.

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Despite the scoreline, the Springboks created numerous opportunities themselves with their running lines, interplay and kicks into space, but were unable to finish off as the All Blacks defence was superb.

New Zealand were ruthless in identifying those gaps and taking their opportunities throughout the game and had sealed the win by half-time. They scored three long-range tries with Ioane, Milner-Skudder and Retallick all crossing after the world champions found space behind the defensive line. Replacement Scott Barrett also crossed after his older brother Beauden cross-kicked for Dane Coles to knock the ball down to the 23-year-old, who was on the field as Liam Squire underwent a head injury assessment.

Milner-Skudder grabbed his second try in the 53rd minute and both coaches then emptied the benches, with Tu’ungafasi scoring his first Test try 10 minutes later. The All Blacks dominated the final 20 minutes with the Springboks defending for much of it and it was testament to their grit they only conceded the tries to Sopoaga in the 73rd minute and Taylor after the full-time hooter.

It was the biggest defeat in South Africa’s history, eclipsing the 53-3 loss against England at Twickenham in 2002. They next face Australia in Bloemfontein on October 1st, while the All Blacks play Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Scoring sequence: New Zealand: Tries: Rieko Ioane (16),Nehe Milner-Skudder (21, 52),Scott Barrett (33),Brodie Retallick (36),Ofa Tu'ungafasi (63),Lima Sopoaga (73),Codie Taylor (80) Conversions: Beauden Barrett (18, 21, 35, 37, 64, 74, 80) Penalty: Beauden Barrett (13) South Africa : NA

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