All Blacks crush the Sharks 54-0 in rain-soaked Durban as McKenzie limps off

All Blacks crush the Sharks 54-0 in rain-soaked Durban as McKenzie limps off

DURBAN, South Africa — New Zealand comfortably handled the Sharks 54-0 and a sodden Kings Park to go two for two on its South Africa tour on Tuesday.

HT Image

Test fullback Damian McKenzie hobbled off after scoring a 28th-minute try. He'd been playing on a heavily strapped left ankle he hurt early while landing to take a mark, and his exit appeared precautionary 11 days before the test series.

The All Blacks started half of their test XV against the weakest of the four provincial sides they face, and were too slick for the Sharks on a pitch soaked by heavy rain right up until kickoff.

They fixed the issues that were shown up while beating the Stormers 38-21 in Cape Town last Friday. The maul defense stopped two early lineout drives by the Sharks from five meters out, the scrum was solid, and discipline much improved. No yellow cards were conceded and the penalty count was reduced on a damp night in which the All Blacks were too slick.

They scored eight tries, seven converted by Ruben Love — four from the sideline and one in off the post.

Love led the All Blacks' pre-match haka, which was uniquely met by a solo haka from Ma'a Nonu, the 44-year-old rugby great who played for New Zealand 104 times from 2003-15 and was signed by the Sharks only a week ago.

Nonu faced his old team for the first time but by the time he cameoed off the bench, the All Blacks were leading 42-0 with a quarter to go.

rugby: /hub/rugby

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.