DUNEDIN, New Zealand, Sept 15 (Reuters) – Mistakes and silly
errors in handling and decision making by both sides dominated
much of New Zealand’s 21-11 victory over South Africa on
Saturday that left the All Blacks on the verge of winning the
inaugural Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks scored two tries, from fullback Israel Dagg
and replacement scrumhalf Aaron Smith, while flyhalf Aaron
Cruden slotted three penalties and a conversion to keep the
world champions unbeaten in the competition.
Springboks winger Bryan Habana scored a brilliant individual
try early in the second half to take his South African
try-scoring record to 43, while Morne Steyn and his replacement
Johan Goosen added a penalty each.
The All Blacks have attempted to play the game at extreme
pace under coach Steve Hansen, with backs and forwards linking
and keeping the ball alive at every opportunity.
While two back door flick passes from players being tackled
set up Dagg’s first-half try under the roof in Dunedin, more
often than not those passes were being spilled.
The All Blacks also did not present the ball accurately at
the breakdown for the second successive week, causing problems
for first Piri Weepu then Smith, while they were also guilty of
hanging on to it too long and incurring the wrath of referee
George Clancy.
“When we go back and review (the match), there were a number
of what we call avoidable penalties,” Hansen said. “We made some
fairly average mistakes at times.
“(But) we did some fairly decent things as well and the
opposition weren’t going to go away and they came to play.
“They brought a great attitude and physicality and when you
get a Springboks side like that, they’re hard to play.”
Continued…
