Stormers pushed hard but All Blacks prevail in Cape Town thriller

The All Blacks began the Greatest Rivalry Tour with a 38-21 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town, although the home side produced a spirited performance and stayed in contention for much of an entertaining contest.

A feverish crowd at Cape Town Stadium was in full voice before kick-off, with the anthems followed by a haka that raised the intensity further. New Zealand responded quickly, pinning the Stormers inside their own 22-metre area during the opening exchanges.

The pressure eventually brought a reward. A driving maul carried Samisoni Taukei’aho over the line, with the hooker’s try giving the All Blacks a 7-0 lead.

The Stormers gradually found their rhythm and were encouraged by relentless support from the home crowd. They attacked repeatedly in the New Zealand half and were awarded a penalty after going close several times.

Yaqeen Ahmed opted for a lineout, but the All Blacks were reduced to 14 men when Anton Lienert-Brown was shown a yellow card for head-on-head contact. From the resulting maul, Deon Fourie forced his way over for a converted try to level the match.

New Zealand lost another player to the sin bin when Simon Parker was yellow-carded following a TMO review. Despite that, the visitors regained the lead shortly before half-time when Parker scored in the tramlines after the All Blacks took a quick penalty deep in the Stormers’ 22.

The first half was played at a high tempo, with both teams trading attacks. The Stormers’ scrum and maul caused the All Blacks problems at times, while their aggressive defensive line speed repeatedly disrupted New Zealand’s handling.

The Stormers continued to press after the interval. They had opportunities to score, while New Zealand also made mistakes when trying to play out from pressure. Billy Proctor left the field with what appeared to be a chest injury, and the home side were awarded a series of penalties and attacking lineouts.

The equaliser arrived in the 56th minute. Rather than mauling from a lineout, the Stormers moved the ball to their backs, allowing Seabelo Senatla to run a superb angle through the All Blacks’ midfield defence. His try was converted by Ahmed to make it 14-14.

New Zealand held their composure and restored their advantage in the 67th minute. Rieko Ioane finished a move for a converted try, with Beauden Barrett adding the extras to put the All Blacks 21-14 ahead with 13 minutes remaining.

As the Stormers, who are in pre-season, began to tire, New Zealand took control. Leroy Carter crossed in the 72nd minute after missed tackles created an opening, and the try was converted.

Josh Moorby then added another score five minutes from time after charging down and gathering the ball. The try was not converted, leaving the All Blacks 33-14 ahead.

The Stormers responded when they were awarded a penalty try two minutes from the end, with New Zealand also receiving a yellow card. But the visitors had the final say as Asafo Aumua powered over from another All Black maul.

The result gave New Zealand a winning start to the tour, but the Stormers could take considerable encouragement from their display. Their physicality and defensive line speed troubled the All Blacks throughout, particularly during the first half and early stages of the second.

Stormers 21 (7): Tries Deon Fourie, Seabelo Senatla, penalty try. Conversions Yaqeen Ahmed (2).

All Blacks 38 (14): Tries Samisoni Taukei’aho, Simon Parker, Rieko Ioane, Leroy Carter, Asafo Aumua. Conversions Beauden Barrett (3), Josh Jacomb (2). Josh Moorby also scored an unconverted try.

The All Blacks started with Josh Moorby, Leroy Carter, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Cortez Ratima, Peter Lakai, Anton Segner, Simon Parker, Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), Fabian Holland, Pasilio Tosi, Samisoni Taukei’aho and George Bower.

Their replacements were Asafo Aumua, Ollie Norris, Siale Lauaki, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Kyle Preston, Josh Jacomb and Caleb Clarke.

The Stormers’ starting XV was Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (captain), Jonathan Roche, Leolin Zas, Yaqeen Ahmed, Imad Khan, Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani, Deon Fourie, Connor Evans, Adre Smith, Neethling Fouche, Andre-Hugo Venter and Vernon Matongo.

The Stormers’ replacements were JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, Ruan Ackermann, Keke Morabe, Wandile Mlaba, Dewaldt Duvenage and Wandisile Simelane.