Codie Taylor scores two tries in winning debut as New Zealand captain against Bulls
Veteran hooker Codie Taylor marked his debut as New Zealand captain with two tries, leading his team to a 50-19 victory over the Bulls in a tour match in Pretoria. Wingers Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby also scored two tries each, with Rieko Ioane and Wallace Sititi adding one apiece. Beauden Barrett and Josh Jacomb handled conversions for New Zealand. For the Bulls, lock Ruan Vermaak, winger Stravino Jacobs, and captain Marcell Coetzee each scored a try, with fly-half Curwin Bosch kicking two conversions. Taylor, who missed the first two tour matches due to injury, was replaced at half-time as a precautionary measure ahead of the first Test against South Africa. New Zealand established a 24-0 lead by halftime and maintained control throughout the game. Bulls coach Johan Ackermann acknowledged his team was not at peak performance, missing eight regular players who are with the Springboks for the upcoming Test series and being in the middle of pre-season preparations.
