Match Details

All Blacks

VS

Springboks

33

Jade Stadium, Christchurch Kick off times: 7:35pm (Local) Sat 14 Jul 5:35pm (AEST) Sat 14 Jul

6

Handling mistakes again threatened to overshadow the All Blacks performance before three late tries in the last 12 minutes set up a 33-6 win over South Africa in the Tri Nations Test in front of 33,708 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch.

It was another game in which the All Blacks, for a long period, were unable to impose themselves over a below-strength opponent and leaves next Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match in Auckland as the Tri Nations decider.

No tries were scored in the first 68 minutes in play notable for the chances created by the All Blacks, but not taken, even when the South Africans had flanker Pedrie Wannenburg sin-binned midway through the second half.

So many handling mistakes were made that the All Blacks hardly fed the scrum all evening.

Ironically, it was a Springboks knock-on that saw wing Doug Howlett pick up the ball, feed wing Joe Rokocoko who then found replacement halfback Brendon Leonard with a backhand flick pass and he raced home to score after 68 minutes.

There was no doubt about the second try however, created by quick hands which spread the defence, and allowed replacement wing Nick Evans to burst down the right flank and force his way over for flyhalf Daniel Carter to land a splendid sideline conversion.

The final try, scored in injury time, resulted from a lengthy period in which advantage was matched by counter advantage before the ball dropped at the feet of Carter and he was able to race 30 metres to score by the posts and land the conversion for 23 points from the game.

Amidst the disappointments, there were some encouraging signs for the All Blacks. Fullback Mils Muliaina was highly effective making several penetrating runs while lock Keith Robinson added presence in the lineout.

No.8 Rodney So'oialo was again outstanding while Carter had a fine controlling influence and some superb tactical kicking, especially during the first half. Replacement halfback Brendon Leonard also made the most of his near 30 minutes on the field.

Carter was more involved than in recent Test matches, three first half wipers kicks traveled nearly 65 metres on crossfield blows that pinned the South Africans back in their own territory. He also attempted to take the ball up although penetrating the South African defences was a constant battle.

The All Blacks couldn't find their attacking continuity through the first half while their lineout also battled.

Initially the Springboks were not as intensive in the forward exchanges and more committed to running the ball at every chance.

Halfback Ruan Pienaar, who had an outstanding game, also attempted to apply pressure through high kicks into the box, but the lack of chasing support allowed the All Blacks to quickly turn the ball back through Rokocoko and Howlett. Rokocoko only took his place on the field after Sitiveni Sivivatu suffered a calf muscle injury in the warm-ups.

Carter scored New Zealand's first 12 points with four penalty goals, the first of which saw him post 100 points against South Africa.

Derick Hougaard, his South African rival, landed two penalty goals for South Africa's points.

Typical of the New Zealand frustrations was the first half occasion which saw lock Keith Robinson contest and win a South African lineout on its 22m line. Halfback Piri Weepu grabbed the ball and fed second five-eighths Luke McAlister who broke through and created space on the right flank but his pass to Howlett was too high and the opportunity was lost.

New Zealand continued to probe with attacking play, but again handling lapses denied the side the authority that would have provided points.

While the South African intent to move the ball was seen in its own half, when the chance came close to the line, the forwards reverted to type and attempted to drive over the line.

But superb All Blacks defence regained the ball and it was Carter for the third time whose long wipers kick again got the side back into the South African half as Pietersen was caught by Rokocoko and fullback Mils Muliaina. Typically of the All Blacks' first half effort, the lineout throw was not straight.

The second half started promisingly with centre Isaia Toeava and McAlister both having thrusts at the line but again a lineout clearance allowed South Africa to clear through Pienaar.

All Blacks 33

Tries: Leonard, Evans, Carter

Con: Carter 3

Pen: Carter 4

South Africa 6

Pen: Hougaard 2

HT: 6-3