By Jeff D'Andrea

Dragons with 2-0 start; shut out the All-Blacks 17-0

Apr 26, 2012 | 8:39 PM

The Saskatchewan Rivers Dragons rugby club has yet to surrender a point against in their first two games of the season, shutting out the All-Blacks 17-0 Thursday at Prime Minister’s Park.

They have outscored their opponents 63-0 in their first two games, after demolishing the Wallabies 46-0 last week on the road.

Although the All-Blacks didn’t register a point, the Dragons anticipated a difficult matchup as the All-Blacks have given them heck over the last several years.

“I knew this would be a tough game, we’ve always had tough games against the All-Blacks,” said Dragons captain Graham Pedersen. “This is the first time we’ve beaten them in a few years.

“I was expecting a tough game, and they gave us a good game. We worked hard and overcame the challenge.”

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Pederson, like the rest of the team, is ecstatic with the quick start and hopes they can keep the good times going.

“We got a strong, solid core group of guys that all want to work hard, they all run the ball hard, they tackle one-on-one as well,” said Pedersen. “We put in a lot of hard work and success comes from that hard work.”

The games’ opening moments gave it a look of a defensive grudge match, as both teams contained each other in the middle of the field. The Dragons eventually broke away in the second half, thanks to some good work from their backs, especially Lucas McConechy who had two tries in the game.

“They played a really good game,” said Pedersen. “They handled the ball well, they kicked the ball well and a lot of that credit goes to the backs.”

Shad Hodgman had the other try as he recovered a loose ball in the All-Blacks’ endzone.

The Dragons, 2-0, are scheduled to play the Wallabies May 1, who they beat 46-0 week one.

jdandrea@panow.com