399th All Black Test
1120th All Black Game

8 September 2010

New Zealand vs South Africa at Carisbrook
Dunedin, New Zealand
Saturday, 27 August 2005

Reserves:

New Zealand:

South Africa:

 16 D. J. C. Witcombe
 17 G. M. Somerville (sub 67 min)
 18 J. A. C. Ryan (sub 67 min)
 19 S. T. Lauaki
 20 K. Senio
 21 C. L. McAlister (sub 69 min)
 22 D. C. Howlett

 16 H. M. Shimange
 17 E. P. Andrews (temp sub du Randt (71-74 min))
 18 P. A. van den Berg
 19 J. Cronjé (temp sub Burger (36-42 min))
 20 P. F. Du Preez
 21 J. N. B. van der Westhuyzen (sub 36 min)
 22 M. C. Joubert

Scorers

New Zealand

South Africa

Tries:
L. R. MacDonald,
K. F. Mealamu,
J. T. Rokocoko (2)
Conversions:
L. R. MacDonald (3),
C. L. McAlister
Penalty Goals:
L. R. MacDonald

Tries:
J. Fourie,
B. G. Habana,
E. Januarie
Conversions:
P. C. Montgomery (3)
Penalty Goals:
P. C. Montgomery (2)

Match Report:

The All Blacks pumped new life into their Philips Tri Nations campaign with a heart-stopping 31-27 victory over South Africa at Carisbrook tonight.

After the lead had exchanged hands seven times, a try to All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu late in the match sealed the win... although it was left to captain Tana Umaga to show Springbok dangerman Bryan Habana the sideline as the final seconds counted down.

Needing a win or draw to retain the Philips Tri Nations crown for the first time in ten years, the Springboks now remain winless after seven visits to Dunedin.

Once again, the All Blacks conceded early points as Springbok fullback Percy Montgomery got the scoring underway with a penalty in just the 2nd minute.

The potential flow was stemmed by All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko when South African No 10 Andre Pretorius tried to clear under pressure and the flying Fijian collected Aaron Mauger’s charge-down to romp 50m and dot down inside the left-hand flag.

No 10 Leon MacDonald’s sideline conversion first swung away... and then inside the posts. 7-3 All Blacks as French referee Joel Jutge took a closer look at those rucks and mauls fuelling the frenetic pace of the game.

Fresh from his one-man run-away festival in Perth last week, Springbok wing Bryan Habana struck next: his 13th try in twelve Tests coming as halfback Ricky Januarie disrupted a ruck 28m out and the unstoppable Habana collected the loose ball.

10-7 South Africa.

Helped by strong bursts from All Blacks No 9 Piri Weepu and stepping strongly from the pivot, MacDonald soon etched his name into the scoresheet again as hooker Mealamu slipped several tackles and freed the charging first-five on the opposition 22 line. He converted his own try to take the homeside out 14-10.

The blistering pace created more and more space, and that could mean only one thing: more Rokocoko magic. The No 11 showing incredible strength to bust three tackles and carry two more defenders over the line with him from 12m out. Try.

Late in the half, the loss of Springbok Pretorius and blood-binning of star flanker Schalk Burger was offset by an opportunist seven-pointer from team-mate Januarie... the livewire halfback charging down MacDonald and snapping up the ball for a try as the clock wound down.

Halftime score: 21-17 All Blacks

The start of the second 40 saw an uneven display of rugby from both sides - not helped by (and perhaps the cause of) a 48th minute bust-up between the front-rows.

Phases of sustained Springbok pressure followed, although Montgomery had to settle for his second penalty after the visitors came close several times in quick succession. The first points after the restart not coming till the 51st minute – all but levelling the scoreline at 21-20 All Blacks.

MacDonald couldn’t capitalise on an immediate chance to re-extend the margin to three, yet was successful with his first penalty shortly afterwards.

The 64th minute and disaster for the home team: a loose pass from All Blacks no 6 Jerry Collins was poached by that man Januarie. Just as he floundered in the tackle of Rokocoko, the halfback found support in the form of centre Jacque Fourie and the hard-running No 13 dived under the bar to give his team a 27-24 lead.

It wasn’t over yet. A rolling maul finally split the stoic Springbok defence 15m out from their own line. Outstanding in general play, Mealamu broke right and crashed over for the 76th minute bonus point try.

On for MacDonald, Luke McAlister converted his first kick of the match... the whole team doing enough to hold on as the final two minutes elapsed.

A genuine rugby thriller and a classic Test match.

Note:
Positions displayed show the current player numbering system.
The past has seen players wear letters, Props wearing the Number 15 through to Fullbacks wearing Number 1.