All Blacks thump Tonga - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

All Blacks thump Tonga

By Jim Morton 24/10/2003 07:47:25 PM Comments (0)

All Blacks prop Kees Meeuws set a new try-scoring record at Suncorp Stadium as New Zealand thumped Tonga 91-7 in its World Cup clash.

Meeuws' 46th minute pick-and-drive to cross next to the posts gave him his ninth try in Test rugby in 32 Tests.

It put him past French front-rowers Amadee Domenach (52 Tests) and Robert Paparemborde (55 Tests) who both scored eight tries in their careers.

Meeusz, who scored five tries in 2002, the most by an All Black forward in a calendar year, was one of nine individual try-scorers for the All Blacks as they scored 13 coverted tries.

Makeshift outside centre Leon MacDonald bagged 29 points with a try and 12 conversions from as many attempts.

While Meeuws set a record for his ability to cross the line, fellow prop Greg Somerville set another with his inability to do the same.

Tight-head Somerville was denied the chance to score his first try in Test rugby when referee Pablo Deluca disallowed a 58th-minute five-pointer.

Unluckily for Somerville, who now becomes the most capped New Zealand player to never score a Test try, a knock-on by inside centre Dan Carter was detected in the lead-up to him diving on a kick-ahead over the line.

Leading 35-0 at half-time, NZ continued where they left off after the break with Caleb Ralph sprinting away for a 41st minute try following a Tongan fumble.

It was Ralph's second try, and fullback Mils Muliaina and winger Doug Howlett followed up with doubles of their own as the All Blacks ran riot late in the game.

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