Times
The All Blacks beat Fiji 57-23 last Saturday night. File photo supplied
With the All Blacks flattered by their 57-23 rugby test win against gallant Fiji in Dunedin on Saturday night, the selectors still don’t know who comprise their best team.
With Covid-19 isolation precautions seriously disrupting Fiji’s preparation, they exceeded all expectations in trailing 23-31 before reserve Dane Coles completed an astonishing four-try haul in the final half-hour upon coming off the bench.
Hooker Coles’ brilliance brought the All Blacks try tally to nine, six more than Fiji, but the selectors won’t be deceived by that score or the alarming weaknesses exposed by the visitors.
“Their (the Fijian players) natural power is quite unbelievable,’’ Ryan explained on Sky Sport. “Their power through contact and ability to get on the ball, and stay there, is phenomenal. They are just explosive, so strong.’’
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The Crusaders back said being able to run out onto the park made the past few difficult years all worthwhile. Dyer snared five turnovers as the All Blacks struggled to shift the strong Fijian players out of the rucks, stifling their momentum on attack; it wasn’t until reserve hooker Dane Coles took the field in the second half and scored four tries that the hosts were able to put their opponents away.
All Blacks Test: ‘We’ll Get Better’ “We want to get better, but it was a good start, I think with the spirit of the team, we can put up a better performance this week,” Cotter told Rugby Heaven. by sereana salalo
13 Jul 2021 12:40 Fiji Airways Flying Fijians first five eighth, Ben Volavola attempt a tackle during their Test against the All Blacks at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on July 10, 2021. Photo: All Blacks Rugby
Blacks on Saturday.
And the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach wants more tests against tier-one rugby countries for his men in future.
The Flying Fijians face the All Blacks in
Stuff Sports
13 July, 2021, 1:20 pm
Albert Tuisue of Fiji dives over to score a try during against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES
Fiji forwards coach Jason Ryan has promised the All Blacks another fiery reception in the breakdowns during the second test in Hamilton on Saturday night.
Although the All Blacks were convincing 57-23 winners over Fiji in Dunedin last weekend, they received a rude awakening at the breakdowns as the visitors, led by their impressive No 6 Johnny Dyer, made the world’s No 2 team look second rate in this facet of their game.
Ryan, who also mentors the Crusaders’ forwards under the watchful eye of head coach Scott Robertson, must have been rapt with the attitude of the Fijian fetchers as they repeatedly pounced on the All Blacks ball carriers on to force turnovers off the deck.
Maikeli Seru
13 July, 2021, 5:08 pm
Hoskins Sotutu makes a break for the All Blacks against Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. JOE ALLISON/GETTY IMAGES
Expect a mean All Blacks machine to steamroll the Flying Fijians during the second Test in Hamilton on Saturday.
This is the warning from former Flying Fijians and Rugby World Cup hero Apisai Naevo after the Flying Fijians rattled and exposed some chinks in the ABs amour in the first Test in Dunedin on Saturday.
The Levani Botia-led Fijians are still the talk of the rugby world after bringing the mighty ABs down to earth with the taste of some of their trademark rugby in a cold Dunedine ground.