“But New Zealand showed the difference between enthusiasm and test-class efficiency.
“For all their endeavour, the Sharks had not come close to scoring. The gulf in class was simply too wide, particularly against an All Blacks side able to absorb pressure and then punish the slightest defensive lapse with devastating counter-attacking precision.”
‘Gulf in class’
Jared Wright, Planet Rugby
“The gulf in class was most evident when the All Blacks’ bench was introduced and the Sharks started to make changes. Ma’a Nonu was greeted with a roar from the crowd and he did have a huge carry into Love and had flashes of brilliance, but JP Pietersen got little purchase from his eight on the bench as the All Blacks took control on the scoreboard and emphatically so.
“Frankly, this is where the real difference in these tour matches will be with the Sharks – outside of Nonu – and other clubs will simply not have the quality and experience on the bench compared to the All Blacks.”
‘All Blacks in low-key mode but win comfortably’
Gavin Rich, Supersport
“The Sharks showed some unexpected initial competitiveness but in the end they were no obstacle to an All Black team that comfortably wrapped up a 54-0 victory.
“The New Zealanders are used to the wet conditions that greeted them at the start and they hardly raised a sweat as they scored eight tries without reply against a Sharks team that was game and gutsy but ultimately just completely outgunned.”
“Unlike the Cape Town game, there weren’t as many questions posed of the visitors, except that there were times in the first half when an underpowered Sharks forward unit set up well on the drive, their contestable kicking contesting wasn’t much better than it was against the Stormers. The Sharks don’t have as strong a scrum as the Stormers and it was the All Blacks who were comfortable in that phase.”
‘Ugly mismatch’
Craig Ray, Daily Maverick
“If the opening game of the Greatest Rivalry tour in Cape Town on Saturday set the tone for a sensational trek through South Africa, Game Two against the Sharks … set it back.
“Played in sopping conditions after heavy pre-match downpours, supposedly in front of 14,759 people according to the official count, it was an ugly mismatch.
“The only highlight was when the Sharks’ 44-year-old centre Ma’a Nonu, a 103-test All Black, responded to the tourists’ Ka Mate haka by doing a solo version of their other haka, Kapa o Pango.
“It should have been a gesture roared on by a full stadium. Still, it was wonderful theatre – the only memorable moment in an otherwise shambolic encounter.”
‘Blowout victory’
Liam Napier, NZ Herald
“Two from two for the All Blacks in South Africa.
“A dominant second half display propelled the All Blacks to a blowout victory against a second-string and underwhelming Sharks side in Durban but an ankle injury to Damian McKenzie 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.” Read Liam Napier’s match report here.
What the All Blacks said
Dave Rennie: “Frustrating start to the game. Lack of discipline. Struggled to get our hands on the ball early. I thought we defended really well throughout the game. We dealt mostly with their kicking game. We weren’t clinical enough in the first half, couldn’t build enough continuity and pressure to hurt them. The second half was good. We kicked smart. We were able to put pressure on them through keeping the ball and going multi-phase … so better.”
Sharks rookie Ma’a Nonu: “I got here last Monday and they just needed help, someone on the bench. Thought it would be rude to say no. Thought I’d just put the boots on and help the team really. Luckily I got 20 minutes. Tried my best. It was great to see the boys. To play against them was such a privilege and an honour. To do the haka as well to show my respect on behalf of my family to the boys and the team I love. And I will always love.”
All Black Jordie Barrett: “It was a pretty greasy surface tonight. A lot of water underfoot. We’re pretty proud to keep backing our skills in these conditions and put on a few points against a good Sharks side.”
