New Zealand v Uruguay LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction as All Blacks secure quarter-final spot

The All Blacks stormed into the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with another mesmeric display of attacking rugby to put down an initially troublesome Uruguay 73-0 in their final Pool A match on Thursday.

After losing their tournament opener to France, New Zealand ran in 11 tries against Namibia, 14 against Italy and added another 11 against Los Teros at OL Stadium.

Damian McKenzie score two tries and made a couple more in an outstanding display, while winger Will Jordan grabbed his 26th and 27th five-pointers in only his 28th test with a performance just as good.

The other New Zealand outside back, Leicester Fainga’anuku, joined the party late with a second-half hat-trick as the Uruguayans wilted under huge pressure.

The bonus-point victory sent the three-times World Cup winners to the top of Pool A, two points clear of France before the tournament hosts face Italy in their final opening-round match at the same stadium on Friday.

And that bonus point win means New Zealand officially join England and Wales in the last eight of the World Cup. The All Blacks climb to 15 competition points - they will top the pool if France fail to win or achieve two losing bonus points against Italy tomorrow.

Pretty much as expected in Lyon tonight, with Uruguay gamely clinging on through the first quarter but cut open thereafter in another reminder of the depth of attacking talent at the All Blacks’ disposal. Damian McKenzie was excellent, Will Jordan too, and it’s just impossible to stop New Zealand in that sort of rhythm.

Uruguay depart this World Cup with their reputation undoubtedly enhanced - but you would have to say that they looked a little leggy come the final 20 minutes tonight.

Uruguay win a penalty with the clock dead and off they go, tapping ten metres from their own line and threatening up the left. It’s a sign of real spirit and stamina as they stress the edge of the All Blacks defence, but Sam Cane is not at all keen to part with a night without scoreboard blemish, covering across to force a knock on and send us to a close.

By Beauden Barrett’s standards, that’s a real waste. New Zealand cut Uruguay open right up the middle from inside their own 22, with Barrett sprinting over halfway. He opts for something clever off the outside of his boot, trying to lift something angular in Damian McKenzie’s direction, but gets the connection all wrong and ends up kicking the ball dead with a furious Finlay Christie screaming for a pass the other way.

A hat-trick for Leicester Fainga’anuku!

He’s off to Toulon at the end of this tournament and you get the sense that Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga’anuku (to give him his full name) is rather enjoying his time in France so far. The forwards punch the holes up the centre to concertina the Uruguayan defence, and Fainga’anuku applies the finishing touches on the left.

That’s not a pleasant sight for All Blacks fans, though - Fletcher Newell is a second tighthead tonight trudging off with an apparent injury. That’ll cause Ian Foster to fret. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who is comfortable on the right of the scrum, is back on for now but if both Lomax and Newell are ruled out, there is a short turnaround to teh quarter-final, even if Ethan de Groot will be back from his ban.

Pure power and over goes Tamaiti Williams!

He’s a serious specimen on his own, the replacement loosehead prop, and wing Leicester Fainga’anuku isn’t the smallest of support latchers either. Their combined weight is too much for the guard and bodyguard defenders in the Uruguay defensive line. Beauden Barrett gets on the board as he takes over converting duties.