All Blacks claim dominant win but injury could spark concerns

By Liam Napier at Kings Park 

Two from two for the All Blacks in South Africa. 

A dominant second-half display propelled the All Blacks to a blowout 54-0 victory against a second-string and underwhelming Sharks side in Durban but Damian McKenzie’s ankle injury will spark concerns 10 days out from the opening test. 

Leading 14-0 after a scrappy first half, the All Blacks cruised clear with six second-half tries to predictably expose the gaping gulf in class between the two sides and record the second-largest tour win in South Africa behind their 85-0 win against North-Eastern Cape in 1970. 

While this performance is a step forward from the All Blacks’ opening 17-point win over the Stormers, McKenzie’s setback could carry serious implications for the first test against the Springboks. 

McKenzie landed awkwardly on his ankle after catching a high ball in the fifth minute. He had it strapped and battled on, scoring one try and having another ruled out for losing the ball over the line after regathering a perfectly placed Quinn Tupaea chip kick. 

Damian McKenzie scores a try in the All Blacks' win over the Sharks. Photo / Photosport 

Eventually, though, eight minutes before the break, McKenzie relented and was replaced at fullback by Emoni Narawa. 

Having started three successive Nations Championship wins last month, McKenzie was earmarked to continue at fullback for the opening South African test. 

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie will, therefore, hope for a swift recovery but McKenzie appears highly doubtful to take his place in the first test against the Boks. 

Torrential rain throughout the day created a sodden, heavy Kings Park pitch. The inclement weather – and the heavily weakened Sharks team - may have played a part in the underwhelming 14,759 crowd. 

The sparsely filled 50,000 capacity venue was certainly a bad look for the tour after a near full first match in Cape Town. 

Ma’a Nonu, the 44-year-old, 103-test veteran making his debut for the Sharks off the bench, responded to the All Blacks haka with Kapa o Pango. Nonu then received a rousing reception from the locals when he emerged off the bench for the final quarter. 

Otherwise, though, the Sharks barely threatened. 

Ma'a Nonu performs a haka in response to the All Blacks in Durban. Photo / Smartframe 

Starting a shadow test team missing first-choice figures Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Tyrel Lomax and Cam Roigard, the All Blacks rectified some areas they struggled with in their opening tour win against the Stormers. 

They defended the Sharks maul well and largely dominated the scrums – albeit against a side missing eight Springboks and without their starting hooker and lock who pulled out with injury 24 hours before the match. 

The All Blacks lineout endured some issues, though, and discipline was again a problem early as they conceded the first five penalties. 

Conditions made the intent for running rugby initially challenging but the All Blacks employed their kicking game to good effect, with Jordie Barrett finding Fineanganofo with several cross-field kicks. 

And by the second half, the All Blacks found their groove with Barrett finishing one sweeping, slick movement. 

Ruben Love, other than missing touch from a penalty, delivered a largely assured display in his return to No 10 with one 50/22 and a classy tip-on pass under pressure to lay on the first of Fehi Fineanganofo’s brace. Love also nailed seven conversions – four from the sideline – missing one. 

Fehi Fineanganofo scored two tries for the All Blacks against the Sharks. Photo / Photosport 

Fineanganofo, in his first start for the All Blacks, was highly involved from the right edge. 

After debuting off the bench in the opening test of the year, Fineanganofo has endured a shoulder injury and sickness to remain on ice since early July. In his second crack for the All Blacks, the Hurricanes wing beat defenders with almost every touch. 

Kyle Preston was another standout in his first start at halfback to push his case for the deputy role behind Roigard. Wallace Sititi and Semisi Ta’eiloa, the latter on debut off the bench, also impressed. 

This eight-try rout was, however, a case of men against boys. 

In their last tour match before the first test, against the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend, the All Blacks need more resistance. 

All Blacks 54 (Fehi Fineanganofo 2, Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Darry tries; Ruben Love 7 cons) 

Sharks 0 

HT: 14-0 

Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.