adminCHICAGO. — Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams returned to the All Blacks with impressive showings Saturday in a 74-6 rout of the United States to launch their Northern Hemisphere rugby tour.
Code-hopping star Williams, at centre after two years in Australia’s Rugby League, joined Julian Savea in scoring two tries in the romp ahead of Tests the next three weeks in England, Scotland and Wales.
“It’s just awesome to be back in such a professional environment,” Williams said. “I wasn’t that good. Our forwards led the platform. We just took advantage of it.”
Fly-half Dan Carter, the world record points scorer who has been out with a broken leg since the Super 15 final, played the final 30 minutes in his 101st All Blacks appearance, this one with primarily a second-level squad.
“Absolutely stoked to get back on the field,” Carter said. “I had a few butterflies before the match.
“It was important for us. We have an important game against England next week. We worked on a couple things for that match.”
The All Blacks humbled the 18th-ranked Eagles in their first US appearance in 34 years came before a record US rugby crowd of more than 61,000 spectators at Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
“To play in front of a crowd like this was lovely. This was something special,” Carter said.
Nathan Harris, Cory Jane, Patrick Tuipulotu, and Charles Piutau added first-half tries for the reigning World Cup champions while Joe Moody, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Sam Cane struck in the second half. — AFP.
Online Reporter