Star Metro - Taylor scores two tries in winning debut as New Zealand captain

Wingers Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby also scored a brace each, and centre Rieko Ioane and replacement loose forward Wallace Sititi also both crossed the whitewash.

Full-back Beauden Barrett took the first two conversions, succeeding with one. Fly-half Josh Jacomb then took over the goal-kicking duties, slotting four conversions from six attempts.

Lock Ruan Vermaak, winger Stravino Jacobs and captain and loose forward Marcell Coetzee scored a try each for the Bulls. Fly-half Curwin Bosch kicked two conversions.

Taylor missed the first two matches of the tour, which delivered victories over the Stormers and the Sharks, due to injury.

With the first of four Tests against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg next Saturday, New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie replaced Taylor at half-time as a precautionary measure.

By the break the All Blacks had built a 24-0 lead, which was never threatened in the second half at Loftus Versfeld stadium.

The Bulls held out for just 14 minutes before Moorby scored his first try. He took a pass from Beauden Barrett and cut inside, slipped past past two tackles and dotted down.

New Zealand impressed at scrum time, in the line-outs, won many turnovers, and quick, slick handling often carved huge holes in the Bulls defence.

The South African franchise were handicapped by the lack of eight regulars, who are with the Springboks preparing for the Test series.

They are also only in the middle of a pre-season build-up for the United Rugby Championship kick-off in late September.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann admitted before the encounter that his team "would not be at their peak for the match".

M.Johnson--SMC