08/07/26 02:22:00
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08/07 14:20 CDT All Blacks pull away late in flattering 38-21 win over the
Stormers
All Blacks pull away late in flattering 38-21 win over the Stormers
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) --- New Zealand's first full-scale tour of South
Africa in 30 years began with an underwhelming 38-21 win over the Stormers on
Friday.
The scoreline flattered a scratch All Blacks side which was favored by at least
30 points.
The makeshift Stormers in preseason mode rallied twice to tie the score, which
was knotted at 14 until there were 13 minutes to go. When the Stormers lost
their second scrumhalf and had no more reserves backs, the patched-up backline
was ruthlessly exposed by New Zealand, which scored three tries in the last
eight minutes.
But the result only papered over a performance that was blighted by
ill-discipline --- three yellow cards --- and a struggling set-piece. They
overcame those with six tries to three by the Stormers in front of a
non-sell-out crowd of 47,130.
The good news for the All Blacks was they appeared to finish with no major
injuries, seven players made their first appearance in the black jersey this
year, and two more made their debuts off the bench; prop Siale Lauaki and
inside back Josh Jacomb.
But the most impressive players in the stadium were Stormers flyhalf Yaqeen
Ahmed, who looked comfortably cool in his first-class debut at age 20, and
flanker Deon Fourie, the dynamo who will be 40 next month.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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