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Agence France-Presse

New Zealand ran in 12 tries to demolish Samoa 78-0 in Auckland on Friday and send out a clear warning to the British & Irish Lions ahead of next week’s first test.
It was a game set up for the All Blacks to clear out any rust before they front the composite team at Eden Park next weekend, and rust there was.
If there weren’t teething problems in their first run of the season the score would have been higher as tries went begging.
Tackles were also missed, but New Zealand still kept Samoa scoreless in what ballooned to their second biggest win against the Pacific islanders.
The All Blacks led 28-0 with four tries in the first half and added another eight in a sparkling second spell, including one to new cap Vaea Fifita who came off the bench to score with his first touch of the ball.
Watch: New Zealand 78 Samoa 0 highlights


“Samoa started out really physical and really tested us,” said All Blacks captain Ben Smith.
“We had to be really disciplined tonight and when we were, we started to profit from that.
Steve Hansen takes fresh digs at Warren Gatland and British & Irish Lions
“We’ll go away and learn from that and make sure we’re better next week. There’s a lot of learnings there that will be great for our group.”
There was plenty for the Lions to take note of, especially the control of the All Blacks forwards at the set piece and the audacious offloads.

When there was the merest hint of a counterattack opportunity, the All Blacks struck hard.
Aaron Smith justified his return to the starting line-up as he was central to directing play into the gaps.
But against that, the world champions revived a problem of old when they made a slow start and displayed a creaking defence.
All Blacks ready to go to battle against Samoa in British & Irish Lions tune-up
“We just didn’t capitalise on those first 20 minutes,” said Samoa captain Kahn Fotuali’i. “We got down to their tryline and coughed it up too many times.
“It was tough, they’re not number one in the world for no reason and we knew what we were up against.”

Following the pre-match confrontation with the rival war dances – the All Blacks with their haka and Samoa with their siva tau – it was the Samoans who were the most fired up when the whistle blew.
They dominated territory for the opening quarter with centres Alapati Leiua and Kieron Fonotia carving through the All Blacks backs, where Sonny Bill Williams was twice found wanting.
‘Stop shooting ourselves in the foot’: Lions coach Warren Gatland rues mistakes as losses mount
But despite the pressure, the All Blacks remained calm and when the chance came to counterattack, they pounced.
After defending desperately for the first 10 minutes, it took two well-placed Aaron Smith clearing kicks to ease the pressure, and once inside the Samoan 22, a pop pass from Beauden Barrett saw Anton Lienert-Brown score the opening try.

In the closing 10 minutes of the half the All Blacks scored three more tries. The first came when Fonotia lost the ball on the All Blacks line which resulted in Ben and Aaron Smith running the hosts out of trouble, and ended with a Barrett try 90 metres away.
Ardie Savea and Williams also crossed the line to have the All Blacks turn 28-0 up as the Samoans’ spirited start flagged.
History-making Barrett brothers eager to combine for All Blacks against British & Irish Lions
Aaron Smith started the second half using turnover ball to spark a 60-metre move for Israel Dagg to score.
Julian Savea, Codie Taylor, Beauden Barrett, Fifita, TJ Perenara and Ardie Savea also scored in the second half as the All Blacks ran riot.
Beauden Barrett landed seven conversions and Lima Sopoaga kicked two on a night, which will give the Lions plenty to chew over ahead of the three-test series.


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British & Irish Lions

New Zealand crush Samoa 78-0 in British & Irish Lions warning

New Zealand's players perform the haka before the match against Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland. Photo: AFP

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams (C) and teammates face the Samoa team before the international test rugby match between New Zealand and Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland on June 16, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY

All Blacks inside centre Sonny Bill Williams passes the ball during the Pasifika Challenge Test match between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, June 16, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett (C) runs with the ball during the international rugby test match between New Zealand and Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland on June 16, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY

Sport

Rugby

Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea each score twice as All Blacks run in 12 tries at Eden Park in Auckland ahead of next week’s first test against the tourists
