New Zealand v Uruguay LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction as All Blacks secure quarter-final spot
New Zealand 73-0 Uruguay: The All Blacks are through to a World Cup quarter-final after thrashing Los Teros
New Zealand sealed their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a 73-0 bonus-point victory in their final pool game against Uruguay.
A hat-trick from Leicester Fainga’anuku led the way for the All Blacks, who overcame a sticky start to display their attacking firepower again to produce another sizeable scoreline.
Their final place in the pool will depend on France’s final Pool A fixture against Italy in Lyon tomorrow.
The hosts will top the group with a win of any kind, while the Azzurri could also force their way into the last eight with an upset win.
For Uruguay, though, this is the end of the road, though Los Teros again gave a good account of themselves in their first ever meeting with the All Blacks to cap an encouraging tournament in which the South Americans have pushed for more opportunities against the world’s top rugby nations.
Relive the match below, get all the Rugby World Cup odds here and the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here.
New Zealand 59-0 Uruguay, 72 minutes
Luke Jacobson flicks a pass out the back door from the base of the scrum, but Finlay Christie is elsewhere already. The All Blacks somehow regather with Uruguay struggling to legally halt them.
New Zealand 59-0 Uruguay, 71 minutes
Will Jordan duly collects some more up the right touchline, but is denied a chip-and-chase try for a second time tonight by some sharp South American scrambling, Uruguay replacement Felipe Berchesi first to the bouncing ball.
The black mass soon engulf him, though, trapping him in his own in-goal area. Five-metre scrum, Finlay Christie to feed.
New Zealand 59-0 Uruguay, 70 minutes
The All Blacks are up into four figures in terms of metres made tonight, their 1071 so far sure to swell further in this final ten minutes.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 59-0 Uruguay (Leicester Fainga’anuku try, 68 minutes)
The tries keep coming!
There’s just too much attacking firepower out there for a fatiguing Uruguay to handle. Lock Manuel Leindekar howls in frustration as his backs are cut to ribbons again: Will Jordan to Caleb Clarke, Clarke to Anton Lienert-Brown, Leinert-Brown to Leicester Fainga’anuku, who out-gasses Agustin Ormaechea.
Damian McKenzie is on the money from the tee.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 52-0 Uruguay (Will Jordan try, 65 minutes)
Will Jordan is at the double!
Another set-piece strike from the All Blacks, sweeping away to the right from the back of a scrum. Leicester Fainga’anuku, now stationed in the centres, plays the pivot, turning at the line to pop back to Damian McKenzie, who utilises Beauden Barrett’s linking hands to free Jordan on the wide outside. McKenzie converts beautifully to continue his enjoyable evening.
New Zealand 45-0 Uruguay, 63 minutes
New Zealand can’t crack Uruguay open but the South Americans are penalised for a ruck offence. New Zealand consider their options as a couple of Teros players receive treatment - Mateo Sanguinetti is replaced by Matias Benitez.
New Zealand 45-0 Uruguay, 62 minutes
A bit of a pause while Uruguay set the scrum, their forwards exhaling deeply after a tough night at the set piece so far. Wayne Barnes whistles New Zealand’s way again, and has a few stern words for the Uruguay front row - he’s been unhappy with their attempts to collapse it all evening and warns them a card is coming if they don’t change their ways.
The All Blacks prod to the corner as Sam Whitelock trots off to a standing ovation. Scott Barrett on alongside brother Beauden, with Richie Mo’unga cotton wooled for the remainder and Damian McKenzie stepping up to fly half.
New Zealand 45-0 Uruguay, 60 minutes
A frustrated clap of the hands from Ethan Blackadder. The workhorse back rower has a run to the line ahead of him but tha flanker fails to take Will Jordan’s pass, and Blackadder cannot go forth.
New Zealand 45-0 Uruguay, 59 minutes
Vaa’i makes amends - he’s a serious lineout athlete and springs up at the front like a jack-in-the-box to pinch German Kessler’s throw.
New Zealand 45-0 Uruguay, 58 minutes
The first proper possession of the half, really, for Uruguay, and they make little of it initially, though replacement fly half Felipe Berchesi darts at the line dangerously.
Nicolas Freitas takes a tumble after colliding with Tupou Vaa’i off the ball - was that high? Wayne Barnes is on penalty only...and TMO Marius Jonker agrees there is no head contact. A little bit clumsy from Vaa’i, who immediately held his hands up.
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