ABs blank Boks to take control of Tri-Nations

Rugbyheaven

The All Blacks played their part in New Zealand's wonder weekend when they claimed a dogged but deserved 19-0 win over the Springboks in Cape Town with the victory giving them a grand chance of retaining the Tri-Nations trophy.
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The win strengthened their place at the top of the points table and depending on how the Wallabies fare in South Africa over the next two weekends, it will probably come down to the final Brisbane test on September 13 to sort out the silverware.

 

But based on the pure determination displayed at Newlands in this absorbing encounter, the All Blacks will be favoured to hold the trophy for a fourth consecutive year.

Super Saturday in China turned into sensational Sunday in South Africa as a memorable 24 hours in New Zealand sport saw the All Blacks follow a record haul of Olympic medals with a treasured win in the rugby republic.

It improved Graham Henry's record there to three wins from six tests since 2004 but this was the toughest of them all and undoubtedly the most appreciated as they managed to keep the Boks scoreless in South Africa for the first time.

Conrad Smith's seventh minute try was all that separated the two teams through to the 65^th minute before Dan Carter finally made it safe with a converted try.

Keven Mealamu added the icing with an intercept as the Boks chanced their am late in the match.

It was a test played at a frantic pace but with an enormous physical edge to it with both sides producing some massive defence.

The All Blacks also had to gain this win without the security of Carter's goalkicking as his normally trusty left boot missed seven attempts, including two dropped goals as the pressure mounted.

They also ran into backline problems at the end of the first quarter when Sitiveni Sivivatu injured a shin. New Zealand ended up fielding two makeshift wings with Isaia Toeava taking over on the left touchline and Richard Kahui on the right.

The match hung on a knife edge as the Boks managed to display their much talked about adventurous approach under new coach Peter de Villiers. But they couldn't crack the black wall.

McCaw, who missed the two tests with the Boks in New Zealand, had a mighty game and Carter, apart from his goalkicking, was able to keep the All Blacks in the right places with some super field kicking and distribution.

The All Blacks applied all the pressure from the kick-off which South Africa fluffed into touch.

New Zealand struck early. From inside the Boks' 22 McCaw, roving in the centres, slipped through a neat grubber kick to the corner which Conrad Smith managed to touch down under pressure from Butch James.

The All Blacks had the agony of Carter missing regular shots at goal as they couldn't capitalise on their possession advantage.

Play swung and they ended the half defending heroically as the Boks launched several waves of attack. This included some desperate work on Bryan Habana who put a foot into touch - well detected by assistant referee Wayne Barnes - as he headed to the try-line.

New Zealand survived to lead 5-nil at the break.

The All Blacks' discipline let them down early in the second spell when a Jimmy Cowan shoulder charge and a Brad Thorn obstruction resulted in penalties. But Percy Montgomery, playing his 100^th test, had kicking problems of his own, failing to land either opportunity.

The desperation factor grew and Carter had a dropped goal attempt charged down towards the end of the third quarter.

Carter then made amends when the All Blacks spread the Boks' defence thin with sideways movement and then gave  their playmaker just enough room to dart up the middle and squeeze over between the posts.

His conversion gave the All Blacks some breathing space.

Still they surged forward, forcing the Boks into some desperate measures. That saw Jean de Villiers throw out a long pass in front of his posts for Mealamu to pounce on and complete the formalities.

Coming on top of the thumping of the Wallabies at Eden Park, this gritty win will further ease the pressure on the All Blacks coaching staff.

The result might increase the heat on the Boks camp who have now suffered consecutive losses to Australia and New Zealand in this tight championship.

South Africa 0

New Zealand 19: Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Keven Mealamu tries; Carter 2 con

HT: 0-5

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