Sonny Bill stars as All Blacks run in 12 tries to crush USA
Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams returned to the All Blacks with impressive showings in a 74-6 rout of the United States late Saturday to launch their northern hemisphere tour.
Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams returned to the All Blacks with impressive showings in a 74-6 rout of the United States late Saturday to launch their northern hemisphere tour.
Code-hopping star Williams, at centre after two years playing in Australia’s National Rugby League, joined Julian Savea in scoring two tries in New Zealand’s 12-try romp ahead of their tests against England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive Saturdays starting next weekend.
“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.”
Absolutely stoked to get back on the field. I had a few butterflies before the match. It was important for us
Fly-half Dan Carter, the leading all-time test match points scorer who has been out with a broken leg since the Super Rugby final in early August, 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 [November 8]. 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 before a record US rugby crowd of more than 61,000 spectators at Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.