Rugby:New Zealand coasted to their second successive World Cup bonus point victory with an 83-7 win as they predictably outclassed Japan at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium today.
The tournament favourites ran in 13 tries during a one-sided Pool A encounter, with outhalf Colin Slade contributing 23 points.
New Zealand shredded Japan at regular intervals with wing Richard Kahui (2), substitute Sonny Bill Williams (2) centres Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu, hooker Keven Mealamu, full-back Isaia Toeava, scrum-half Andy Ellis, flankers Jerome Kaino and Adam Thomson, Slade and replacement hooker Andrew Hore touching down.
Slade added nine conversions, although Japan at least gave their supporters something to cheer when wing Hirotoki Onozawa claimed a consolation score midway through the second half that Murray Williams converted.
The Cherry Blossoms fielded a largely second string side with only five of the starting line-up that had competed so effectively in their defeat to France being retained for this match.
The All Blacks were without injured trio Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina, but they still found early rhythm as Smith celebrated his 50th cap with a fourth-minute try. It came from turnover possession, with All Blacks number eight Victor Vito making a telling thrust before quick passing gave Smith an easy finish and Slade converted.
Japan gave the French a major scare six days ago, but they spent much of the first period defending as Kahui and Kaino added tries during a five-minute spell of pressure. Slade, though, missed three successive kicks at goal, which was a worry for All Blacks coach Graham Henry as Carter looks to shake off a back problem before tomorrow week’s potential group decider against France.
Skipper Mealamu then posted a fourth try before the break, converted by Slade, as New Zealand eased away from a committed, but limited, Japanese outfit. And then the floodgates were prised open with further scores for Ellis and Slade, with the number 10 kicking two more conversions.
Life threatened to get even tougher for Japan when Williams went on early in the second-half, replacing wing Cory Jane, and New Zealand immediately struck again through Kahui’s second try. Williams took less than 10 minutes to breach Japan’s defence, ghosting through in midfield, and then his brilliant run created a try for Nonu after Toeava and Hore had touched down.
New Zealand continued to rattle along at a point a minute, and Williams completed the scoring spree when he rounded off a flowing move in the dying seconds.
