3 Sep 2008

All Blacks demolish Manu Samoa

11:00 pm on 3 September 2008

The All Blacks demolished an under-strength Manu Samoa 101-14 in the mis-match of the season in Taranaki on Wednesday night.

The free-flowing one-off Test saw 15 tries by the All Blacks in front of a capacity crowd at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium.

It was a Rugby 101 lesson for the visitors as the All Blacks piled on try after try.

The All Blacks raced away from Manu Samoa with seven tries in the first half to lead 47-7 at halftime.

Taranaki-born and bred Conrad Smith scored two tries in front of his home crowd, as did Richard Kahui. Mils Muliaina went one better, scoring three.

Adam Thomson and Stephen Donald crossed the line for the first time in the black jersey, while Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Isaiah Toeava and Piri Weepu also took one apiece.

A penalty try was also awarded against Samoa for a deliberate foul in a scrum in front of the posts.

Tries by Samoa's Sevens star Uale Mai and Alafoti Fasoliva salvaged some pride for the visitors.

It is the fifth time the sides have clashed, and the win betters New Zealand's 71-13 victory over Manu Samoa in 1999.

The game was a warm-up for the All Blacks' Tri-Nations decider against Australia next weekend, but the scoreline will raise questions over how useful an outing it was for a team which would have otherwise gone without a game for a month.

Full result

New Zealand Tries: Mils Muliaina (3), Conrad Smith (2), Richard Kahui (2), Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, penalty try; Conversions: Dan Carter (6), Donald (7)

Samoa Tries: Uale Mai, Alafoti Faosiliva; Conversions: Mai, Roger Warren.