New Zealand 85 Romania 8: Rokocoko runs in three as All Blacks cut down Oaks

Wyn Griffiths
Saturday 29 September 2007 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

New Zealand continued their march through the World Cup with a crushing victory over Romania. The All Blacks took their Pool C points tally over 300 by running in 13 tries.

Joe Rokocoko led the way with a hat-trick and Sitiveni Sivivatu and Isaia Toeava scored twice. Sivivatu found space out wide to go over for his first inside the first minute, and Chris Masoe followed him over nine minutes later. Rokocoko scored the third, then Nick Evans scooped up loose ball to score the fourth five-pointer.

Sivivatu scored a simple fifth try after 25 minutes and Luke McAlister's third conversion made it 31-0, but Romania pulled a try back through Marius Tincu. Toeava then put Aaron Mauger over to make it 36-5 at the break.

In the second half, Toeava burst through to take New Zealand past 40 points. Before the hour the No 8, Sione Lauaki, put Rokocoko over for his second. Conversions from McAlister and Evans made it 50-5 before Andrew Hore found his way over after good work from Chris Jack. Rokocokothen cut inside to complete his hat-trick via a neat inside pass from Jerry Collins.

Romania's Florin Vlaicu kicked a penalty and the Oaks attacked again in the hope of scoring a second try, but the move broke down and the All Blacks counter-attacked, scoring through Conrad Smith. Further tries from the replacement wing Doug Howlett and Toeava wrapped up thescoring in the closing minutes of the match.

New Zealand: Tries Sivivatu 2, McAlister, Rokocoko 3, Evans, Mauger, Toeava 2, Hore, Smith, Howlett. Conversions McAlister 4, Evans 6. Romania: Try Tincu; Penalty: Vlaicu.

New Zealand: N Evans; J Rokocoko, I Toeava, A Mauger, S Sivivatu (C Smith, 61); L McAlister (D Howlett, 55), A Ellis (B Leonard, 59); N Tialata, K Mealamu (A Hore, 61), G Somerville, R Thorne, K Robinson (C Jack, 55), J Collins (capt), C Masoe (R McCaw, 55), S Lauaki.

Romania: I Dumitras (F Vlaicu, 61); S Ciuntu, C Gal, R Gontineac (C Dascalu, 70), G Brezoianu; I Dimofte, L Sirbu (V Calefeteanu, 62); B Balan (S Florea, 57), M Tincu (R Mavrodin, 53), S Florea (P Ion, 53), S Socol (capt), C Petre, F Corodeanu (C Ratiu, 48), A Manta (V Ursache, 67), O Tonita.

Referee: J Jutge (France).

new zealand v romania

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in