As part of the 'Greatest Rivalry in Rugby' tour, the match between the All Blacks and the Sharks in Durban concluded with a landslide victory for the All Blacks with a score of 54:0. The game took place under heavy rain conditions on the wet Kings Park stadium.
Before the match, Ma'a Nonu drew particular attention. After the All Blacks team executed the haka, the former great player from New Zealand left the Sharks squad to perform his own Māori response. This touching moment recalled the outstanding career of the 42-year-old Nonu, who played in the black jersey of New Zealand, and now in the black and white jersey of Durban. Fortunately for Nonu, his performance concluded before the next drop of rain fell on him.
Durban experienced a day of incessant downpour, causing Kings Park to be completely flooded, with parts of the playing field resembling a giant swimming pool. For long-time rugby fans, these conditions brought back memories of the famous downpour that hit Durban during the 1995 World Cup semi-final. Like that unforgettable evening, ball possession became extremely dangerous as players navigated through puddles.
The young Sharks team seemed inspired by the Nonu moment and started the game with great enthusiasm. In the first quarter, they held an advantage, confidently carrying the ball and challenging the All Blacks' defense. However, New Zealand demonstrated the difference between enthusiasm and Test-level efficiency.
The visitors managed to weather the early Sharks attack, and after the first significant drive, they broke through to the end zone, scoring in the corner via winger Fehhi Finenganofo. Then fullback Damian McKenzie seemed to double the lead by diving in the same corner, but this attempt was nullified due to loss of control over the ball upon crossing the line. A few minutes later, McKenzie had another action, this time cleanly completed, leading to a score of 14:0.
In the first half, the All Blacks completely dominated the Sharks. This score was shown on the scoreboard, leading to the assumption that if this was the maximum the All Blacks could show, the Springboks had no reason to worry. Nevertheless, Rassie Erasmus and his assistants never allowed themselves to be lured into such a trap. The conditions were too terrible to draw conclusions based on a game effectively played in a pool, especially considering that the Sharks fielded a young team against one of the world's strongest rugby teams.
After the break, the All Blacks increased the pressure. Finenganofo scored the second try, and then Caleb Clarke reached the points after sustained pressure. Next, Jordie Barrett was scored against after a series of quick phases, which was evidence of New Zealand's clinical attack. By the sixtieth minute, the score reached 42:0.
Despite all efforts, the Sharks could not come close to the result. The class difference proved too vast, especially against the All Blacks team capable of weathering the onslaught and then mercilessly punishing the slightest defensive error through devastating counter-attacks.
Substitute player Timoci Tavatavanawai added another corner try, and lock Sam Darcy broke through the tight lineout defense to put New Zealand over the fifty-point mark. It was a harsh score for the Sharks, who showed much spirit in a game that could not truly be a contest initially due to the huge difference in experience and class.
However, the All Blacks did what is expected of top-tier teams: they weathered the early storm, adapted to the conditions, and then ruthlessly exploited the opportunities that arose. Ultimately, the Sharks were 'washed away' by the rain, but this night will be remembered longer than the 54:0 score. It was a night of relentless rain, a memorable Māori exchange, and a demonstration of how tough the climb is for a young Sharks team facing the might of New Zealand.
Goal-kickers: New Zealand — Try Scorers: Fehhi Finenganofo (2), Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Darcy. Conversions: Ruben Law (7).
