There were big wins this past weekend for the All Blacks and Scotland while Leicester kept on rolling in the Premiership. Shaun Goosen looks back at the weekend's action.
New Zealand put Wales to the sword
The All Blacks extended their winning run over Wales to 32-Tests with their 54-16 win at the Principality Stadium on Saturday. Beauden Barrett, playing in his 100th Test match, scored two tries as Ian Foster’s side went back to No 1 on the World Rugby rankings while recording their 11th win in 12 matches this year. In total, the ABs scored seven tries to totally blow an under-strength Wales out of the water. Alun Wyn Jones, breaking Richie McCaw’s record for the most matches for a single country (149) on the day, had his game cut short through injury 19 minutes in.
New Zealand next face Italy in Rome on Saturday while the Welsh host the Springboks in Cardiff. It remains to be seen whether skipper Jones will be fit in time, but the Dragons should welcome back the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit and Dan Biggar.
New-look Scotland punish Tongans
South African-born Kyle Steyn scored four of Scotland’s 10-tries in a 60-14 rout of Tonga at Murrayfield on Saturday. Steyn, formerly of Maties and the Griquas, bagged his first three inside the opening 40 minutes before adding another in the second half. In the absence of British & Irish Lions Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell, coach Gregor Townsend named a squad with eight debutants, including former Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman, who also bagged a try on the day. Increasing his squad numbers will serve him well as he continues to build towards the next World Cup.
The Scots host Australia on Sunday in what will be a massive game for both teams. For Tonga, it doesn’t get any easier as they gear up for a visit to Twickenham on Saturday.
Ruthless Leicester win again
Steve Borthwick’s Leicester Tigers recorded their seventh straight win with a 55-26 demolition of Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday. They sit at the summit of the Premiership table on 32-points, eight better off next-best Saracens, who beat defending champions Harlequins 29-22 at the Stoop on Sunday. Borthwick’s men are the only unbeaten team left standing and look like they mean serious business, with the likes of Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese and Argentina skipper Julian Montoya among those leading the charge.
Elsewhere, Exeter snuck past Gloucester 16-13 at the Kingsholm on Friday, Bristol beat London Irish 45-33 at the Brentford Community Stadium, Worcester saw off Sale 27-14 at the Sixways and Wasps won 27-17 over Bath at the Rec.
