New Zealand capped a stellar year by beating Scotland 29-10 on Saturday to secure a grand slam of the four British Isles teams.
The All Blacks’ clean sweep of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland on a single tour was only their second in a century. The last was in 1978.
”We could have played better,” New Zealand coach Graham Henry said. ”It’s a long year. We expect perfection on the pitch, but sometimes we don’t achieve that.”
This year, the All Blacks won the Tri-Nations, retained the Bledisloe Cup against Australia and trounced the British and Irish Lions 3-0. They’ve won 11 of 12 Tests.
Also on Saturday, England scored five tries to nil in beating Samoa 40-3 in a match marred by a late brawl, Italy beat Fiji 23-8 under snow in Monza, and Ireland accounted for Romania 43-12 in Dublin.
New Zealand, with only two starters backing up from the win over England last weekend, always looked like winners at a chilly Murrayfield, but Scotland’s defence limited the visitors to a 22-3 lead at half-time. Winger Rico Gear, who scored three tries against Wales, raced in for his second late against Scotland, whose pride was rewarded with a last-minute converted try for replacement Simon Webster.
All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, reportedly set to retire, said he would enjoy his team’s achievements before thinking about whether he’s finished playing.
”I’m just going to enjoy what we’ve achieved today,” Umaga said. ”I feel good and my body feels good, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Who knows when I’ll make a decision?”
At Twickenham, Tom Voyce scored two of England’s five tries against Samoa in his first international start. Also crossing the line were scrumhalf Harry Ellis, replacement winger Tom Varndell on debut, and flyhalf Charlie Hodgson, who also booted over 15 points.
”It was a mixed one today,” England captain Martin Corry said. ”It’s a great scoreline and our defense was a big plus but, are we the finished article? No, we’re not.”
With five minutes left, a scuffle turned into a brawl after Samoa’s Alesana Tuilagi upended airborne England winger Mark Cueto.
Touch judge Malcolm Changleng intervened, and referee Mark Lawrence sent off Tuilagi for the tackle. Lewis Moody was shown a red card for punching in the scuffle, becoming the first England player to be sent off in a Test at Twickenham.
”You can’t condone it when punches are thrown. Lewis went to stick up for Mark and he [Cueto] got punched and it all kicked off. It was a shame,” England coach Andy Robinson said.
In Monza, Italy’s forwards set up an easy win over Fiji in falling snow at Stadio Brianteo.
Italy hooker Fabio Ongaro scored in a rolling maul and centre Mirco Bergamasco picked up a grubber kick. Ramiro Pez converted both and added three penalty kicks.
Fiji struggled to set up a platform throughout, and fullback Norman Ligairi scored their only try around the hour mark.
In Dublin, Petre Mitu kicked Romania ahead and then was overwhelmed by Ireland’s six tries, five of them converted by David Humphreys. — Sapa-AP