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Thursday, May 2, 2024

NZ coach rejects criticism of lopsided romp over Tonga

New Zealand’s Will Jordan scores a try against Tonga.  afp MICHAEL BRADLEY

Auckland: New Zealand coach Ian Foster has rejected any suggestion of an unwarranted mismatch after the All Blacks put a century of points on a hapless Tonga, saying Saturday’s Test was not about the scoreline.

The All Blacks scored 16 tries, five to Will Jordan, against the Pacific islanders with the 102-0 result drawing criticism in local media.

Marc Hinton, writing for the Stuff website, called it “a mismatch of epic proportions” while Radio New Zealand’s Jamie Wall described it as nothing more than “a glorified training run” for the All Blacks.

New Zealand Herald rugby writer Liam Napier said the lopsided clash “served little purpose for anyone” and the paying spectators were “sold a dud”.

In rugby-mad New Zealand, where…

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