All Blacks 54-0 Sharks: 5 Talking Points - Ruben Love stamps claim to 10 jersey for Springboks series

A brace from Fehi Fineanganofo, along with tries from Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoco Tavatavanawai and Sam Darry, and seven conversions from Ruben Love capped off a dominant display from the All Blacks, starting 2/2 in the tour and giving Dave Rennie his fifth victory in as many games.

The All Blacks returned to Durban for the first time in a decade in overcast conditions. Aside from the first five minutes, the game was all New Zealand’s way. Rennie’s boys played with fluidity, electrifying pace, and outstanding defence and discipline which drastically improved from the Stormers game.

Two more debuts for 23-year-old chiefs hooker Bradley Slater and 22-year-old Moana Pasifika flanker Semisi Ta’Eiloa, a proud moment for them and their families, and both putting in exceptional shifts off the bench. It was an emotional night for All Blacks fans, with former All Black legend Ma’a Nonu playing for the Sharks. The two-time world champion performed his own haka, before coming off the bench in the 61st minute.

The All Blacks run it back against the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday.

GAME STATS:

All Blacks:

TRIES: 8 (Fineanganofo 18’, 52’, McKenzie 27’, Clarke 45, J Barrett 59’, Preston 62’, Tavatavanawai 69’, Darry 74’) CONVERSIONS: 7 (Love 19’, 29’, 46’, 53’, 60’, 62’, 75’)

PENALTIES: 0 DROP GOALS: 0 YELLOW CARDS: 0 RED CARDS: 0

SHARKS

TRIES: 0 CONVERSIONS: 0 PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0 YELLOW CARDS: 0 RED CARDS: 0

From what can only be described as a demolition job, the main takeaway from this game is the drastic improvement both offensively and defensively compared to the game against the Stormers. In only the first five minutes, the All Blacks defence was tested, with the Sharks immediately in the 22. But the defence held strong, and led by captain Luke Jacobson, allowed the All Blacks to come back into the game.

In the wet conditions, the All Blacks played fast paced with quick passing, limited kicking, and used the wings on nearly every possession. Compared to the game against the Stormers where the attack was slower, more physical and more about defending, Rennie switched up the game plan, and the team showed flashes of vintage All Blacks.

Whilst Jordie Barrett claimed man of the match honours, it was an overall team effort that contributed to the large margin. Kyle Preston, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Caleb Clarke and Luke Jacobsen all put in huge shifts both offensively and defensively, but Fehi Fineanganofo was something else all together.

In just his second game for the All Blacks, he scored two tries, and was a key part of the build up of many other tries. He broke through many tackles, passed well, and could see opportunities playing meaningful minutes against the Springboks after today’s performance. The bench also played their part to perfection, particularly the debutants and Temico Tavatavanawai who scored a great try and provided top defence. In just five games as All Blacks head coach, Dave Rennie is giving fans plenty of hope.

The All Blacks were far better disciplined today compared to against the Stormers. They conceded eight penalties compared to 15 against the Stormers and did not receive any yellow cards. On the other hand, the Sharks conceded nine penalties, and struggled to move the ball forward.

The change in All Blacks discipline was a major factor in the win. Because of penalties, and particularly yellow cards, the Stormers were able to break through and scored multiple tries. Overall, the Stormers game was very scrappy from the All Blacks, but, tonight they improved and it saw them take more control of the game and shut the Sharks out.

Discipline has often been an issue for the All Blacks, but games like this should serve as motivation of how much they can dominate when it isn’t an issue.

Love replaced Beauden Barrett in the starting lineup at fly half for today’s game and was one of the standout players in the All Blacks attack. His passing, speed, and partnership with Kyle Preston unlocked the dominant attacking performance. His kicking was exceptional, scoring 7/8 conversions often from the wings, and his in game kicking up the field and into touch caused problems for the Sharks.

Love also had a sensational season with the Hurricanes, leading them to win the Super Rugby Championship earlier this year. Since making his debut in 2024, he has stepped up massively in all of his performance, and at 25, is showing promise to don the number 10 jersey for years to come.

On the other side, Beauden Barrett played below average against the Stormers, and now at 35 years old and after not having the best season for the Blues in Super Rugby, many are questioning his form and future selection probability. The remainder of this tour will be telling for his future as a starter, especially going into the World Cup next year. The next game against the Bulls will be telling of what he decides, but if Ruben Love keeps up his form then he may be in for a big tour.

Damian McKenzie played one of the weirdest games of rugby he will likely ever play. In just the fifth minute, he went up to catch a high ball, but landed awkwardly on his left leg and had to seek medical attention on his ankle. He was limping for a bit, then walked it off and continued playing.

Only a few minutes later, he scored a try, but was reviewed after Ruben Love already made the conversion and disallowed, as he lost and knocked on the ball just before scoring. He would redeem himself in the 27th minute, scoring another try before that one also got reviewed for him potentially being tackled out of bounds before grounding the ball. However, that one also got reviewed, but stood because the splashing water blocked a decisive view of the ball.

McKenzie’s ankle would continue to be a problem, and he was substituted in the 35th minute, still awaiting further injury results.

At 44 years old, Ma’a Nonu became the oldest player to ever play against the All Blacks in a tour game and became the fourth oldest professional rugby player of all time as of

June 6. Nonu, who is actually a player mentor for the Sharks, was named on the bench against the nation he played 104 times for between 2003 and 2015. He was a crucial part of the All Blacks teams that went back-to-back in the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, becoming one of only 44 players to lift the Webb Ellis Cup more than once, with his farewell to the black jersey being that magical 2015 final against Australia.

Since then, he enjoyed a glorious domestic career, playing in New Zealand, France, and even America. To put his longevity into shocking perspective, he had already represented the All Blacks before Semisi Ta’Eiloa, who made his All Blacks debut today, was born. To make the game even more special, after the All Blacks performed the haka, Nonu stepped forward from his teammates and performed his own haka.

A significant moment for many of the All Black players who would have grown up watching him, and for all fans around the world. The Durban crowd erupted in support for Nonu, possibly the only time an overseas crowd would cheer for the haka. He would get his moment in the 61st minute, coming on for Murray Koster, with his main highlight being a barge over Ruben Love.