Rugby World Cup: New Zealand ease into quarter-finals after mauling Uruguay in Lyon
![New Zealand's Anton Lienert-Brown](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2F498005_new-zealand-anton-lienert-brown-5-october-2023.webp&w=3840&q=75)
New Zealand eased into the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with a 73-0 demolition of Uruguay in Lyon.
After putting nearly 100 points on Italy last week, the All Blacks had to wait 20 minutes to make the breakthrough here, Damian McKenzie crossing for the first of their 11 tries.
They had wrapped up the bonus point before half-time thanks to further tries from Richie Mo’unga, who slotted over five conversions, a stylish effort from Will Jordan and Cam Roigard.
Uruguay did not allow their heads to drop but they were powerless to stop New Zealand crossing seven times in the second half, with Leicester Fainga’anuku scoring a hat-trick.
Fletcher Newell and Tamaiti Williams were among the scorers while McKenzie finished off a brilliant move and Jordan also claimed a second try.
It was again a landmark evening for veteran lock Sam Whitelock, who, after becoming the most capped All Black last week, celebrated a 150th Test appearance and a record 23rd at the World Cup.
New Zealand could face Ireland, the world’s top-ranked side, in the last eight in what would be a much stiffer test of their title credentials.