Ads by Google Ads by Google

Key moments that tipped the balance in the All Blacks v Samoa match

Sonny Bill Williams amazed Mason Smales with a gift of his red striped Adidas game shoes.   Mason is a cousin of the late beloved Peter Fatialofa.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]Charlie Faumuina, (who has relatives in Alofau, Tutuila) makes a quick pass to All Blacks teamate, Lima Sapoaga (who has relatives in Tutuila's Western District), as Sonny Bill Williams (with relatives everywhere) looks on. The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]Manu Samoa never quit, but somehow the All Blacks smartly and frequently found a way to they try line in the second half.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.  [Photo: Barry Markowitz]As evident by the score, after the first 15 minutes of the first half, Manu Samoa could not offensively challenge the All Blacks.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]Manu Seven's star Faalemiga Selesele, rushes to support his teamate.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]First half try by Sonny Bill Williams.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]American Samoa's own Jerome Kaino, Sonny Bill Williams are unable to secure the ball due to ferocious Manu Samoa aggressive defense.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]Manu Samoa coaches and players tried to get back on track, but to no avail.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]Viliamu Afatia on defense, first half.The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]Tim Nanai Williams, passes off to Kahn Fotualii, in the early minutes of the first half.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]With Samoa flags to their back, the NZ All Blacks respond to Samoa's Siva Tau with their legendary Haka.  The New Zealand All Blacks defeated Manu Samoa 15s 78-0 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.   [Photo: Barry Markowitz]

The majority of the key moments in the All Blacks test against Samoa came in the first half as the world champions got out to a 28-0 lead. From there the result was inevitable.

TELEVISION MATCH OFFICIAL INTERVENES

The match was in just its third minute when television match official Ian Smith decided he had to get involved in the game early.

With Samoa on hot attack and having gone through numerous phases, Smith alerted referee Mathieu Raynal to a potential neck roll on Ardie Savea from one of the Samoan players.

Several replays showed there was little in it but Samoa were penalised with the chance of an early score gone. Interestingly, Samoa were not afforded the opportunity to score first before it was reviewed, although the officials were technically right if potential foul play was detected.

SAVEA'S KNOCK-ON MISSED

Rookie All Blacks No 8 Ardie Savea might have sighed with relief after the All Blacks first try in the 12th minute.

An attacking scrum close to the Samoa line allowed the All Blacks to open the scoring but replays showed Savea had lost the ball under the attention of Kahn Fotualii.

The officials missed it and Beauden Barrett got over the line before releasing the ball to Anton Lienert-Brown who simply had to catch the ball and fall over to score.

The referee opted not to review it and there was an absence of protests from the Samoa players.

SAMOA BLOW THEIR CHANCES

Samoa continued to create try scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes and should have scored on at least two occasions.

One of those followed an excellent line break from Tim Nanai Williams who stood up his old Chiefs team-mate and cousin Sonny Bill Williams before he released to Alapati Leiua who just needed to show composure to finish things off.

Unfortunately for Samoa, Leiua's pass went wildly into touch and the chance was lost.

Read more at Stuff NZ