Weber at the double in All Blacks’ nine-try rout of Canada

Thursday, 3 October 2019 02:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Brad Weber

OITA, AFP: Two-time defending champions New Zealand ran nine tries past Canada in a 63-0 romp to strengthen their grip on Pool B at the Rugby World Cup yesterday.

All three Barrett brothers – Jordie, Beauden and Scott – scored tries as the All Blacks totted up four before half-time and added another five in the second period.

Brad Weber, back in the All Blacks after being side-lined for four years, was the inspiration the defending champions needed to set their second half alight.

The quick-thinking Weber, coming on as a replacement at the start of the second half, scored two tries himself and was instrumental in the other three.

“I thought particularly that first half of the second half, they really came together and played good controlled rugby,” said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

“In really difficult conditions – the humidity is unbelievable, and whilst people at home will be wondering why we dropped a few balls, it’s very, very difficult. So I think they’ve done well.” In a messy first half, where the clammy conditions inside the roofed Oita Stadium contributed to multiple handling errors, the All Blacks only led 28-0 at half-time.

But with Weber dictating the flow they doubled that score in a frenetic opening 10 minutes of the second half with four rapid tries.

They only scored one more as the energy-sapping conditions took their toll, but it was enough to post the highest score in this World Cup so far.