New Zealand fire warning to Rugby World Cup rivals

Published October 3, 2019
OITA: New Zealand and Canada players in action during their Rugby World Cup match at the Oita Stadium on Wednesday.—Reuters
OITA: New Zealand and Canada players in action during their Rugby World Cup match at the Oita Stadium on Wednesday.—Reuters

TOKYO: Holders New Zealand enjoyed the biggest win at the Rugby World Cup with a 63-0 victory over Canada on Wednesday to stay top of Pool ‘B’.

France had earlier laboured to a 33-9 victory over the United States to move within a point of Pool ‘C’ leaders England.

New Zealand easily maintained their record of having never lost a World Cup pool match by thumping Canada in Oita.

The All Blacks ran in eight tries and were awarded a penalty try against out-classed Canada, as full-back Beauden Barrett, centre Sonny Bill Williams and fly-half Richie Mo’unga cut through at will.

It was Steve Hansen’s 90th win as All Blacks coach, with four draws and nine defeats making up his 103-game record.

New Zealand have a four-day turnaround before their next game against Namibia.

France squeaked past Argentina in their opening game and Les Bleus were again unimpressive in overcoming the United States at Fukuoka’s Hakatanomori Stadium.

Three late tries spared French blushes and secured a bonus-point to keep the pressure on England ahead of their likely pool-decider on October 12.

France were in trouble when the Eagles’ third penalty trimmed their lead to 12-9 on 64 minutes.

But three converted tries in the last 14 minutes helped them to a flattering 33-9 victory.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2019

Opinion

In fight mode

In fight mode

The bouts between political parties and establishment take a toll on country far more than they do on political parties.

Editorial

Meltdown
08 Apr, 2025

Meltdown

A full-blown trade war is upon us as the era of the rules-based, multilateral trading order is nearly over.
Settling differences
Updated 08 Apr, 2025

Settling differences

Unless there is a broad agreement on the path forward, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of recurring instability.
Glacial ingenuity
08 Apr, 2025

Glacial ingenuity

NECESSITY is indeed the mother of invention, as witnessed in Gilgit-Baltistan. In these areas, where climate change...
Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

Authorities should refrain from undertaking any water scheme that infringes on rights of any federating unit to avoid more controversies.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...