412th All Black Test
1133rd All Black Game

8 September 2010

New Zealand vs South Africa at Loftus Versfeld
Pretoria, South Africa
Saturday, 26 August 2006

Reserves:

New Zealand:

South Africa:

 16 K. F. Mealamu (sub 59 min)
 17 T. D. Woodcock (sub 16 min)
 18 C. R. Jack (sub 47 min)
 19 J. Collins (sub 51 min)
 20 Q. J. Cowan (sub 63 min)
 21 S. Tuitupou (sub 64 min)
 22 I. Toeava (sub 12 min)

 16 M. Ralepelle (sub 78 min)
 17 B. J. Botha (sub 23 min)
 18 P. A. van den Berg (sub 61 min)
 19 P. J. Wannenburg (sub 47 min)
 20 R. Pienaar (sub 61 min)
 21 W. Olivier (sub 77 min)
 22 A. S. Pretorius (sub 59 min)

Scorers

New Zealand

South Africa

Tries:
R. L. Gear,
C. L. McAlister,
J. M. Muliaina,
S. W. Sivivatu,
N. S. Tialata
Conversions:
D. W. Carter (4)
Penalty Goals:
D. W. Carter (4)

Tries:
P. F. Du Preez,
J. Fourie (2)
Conversions:
A. S. Pretorius
Penalty Goals:
A. D. James (2),
P. C. Montgomery

Match Report:

New Zealand's greater desire to play positive rugby resulted in another damning loss for South Africa who were beaten 45-26 in the Philips Tri Nations Test in Pretoria. For a few moments it seemed South Africa might mount an improbable comeback during a spirited final quarter, but it was a momentary hope for a home team which lacked consistency of purpose by comparison to the Tri Nations champions who were never rattled and the more creative team even when under pressure. Centre Jacques Fourie scored twice in a few minutes around the 60-minute mark, both tries coming after Andre Pretorius replaced Butch James at first five-eighths. However, the result was another triumph for coach Graham Henry's rotation policy, even with a side the South Africans tried to claim was an insult to them. New Zealand had one of the more disconcerting starts with two penalty goals conceded in the first three minutes, and then in short order it lost fullback Leon MacDonald to a hip injury and prop Greg Somerville to a lower leg injury. Mils Muliaina moved from centre to fullback with Isaia Toeava coming on and then when Tony Woodcock replaced Somerville, Neemia Tialata moved to the tighthead. The situation worsened when Springboks halfback Fourie du Preez took advantage of some untidy All Blacks work at the base of a maul to score his side's first try after nine minutes. The All Blacks recovery was compounded by more problems at lineout time when the South Africans contested everything to disrupt the New Zealand ball. Yet, in spite of all the obstacles, cool All Blacks play saw it slowly, but surely, regain the ascendancy. It was achieved by reverting to the key playmakers: Richie McCaw dominating at breakdown, support in the loose from No.8 Chris Masoe, outstanding kicking options by first five-eighths Dan Carter, and electrifying running for consistent breaks by Muliaina. Carter landed two penalty goals and then capped a fine move by placing a perfect, and holding kick, into the Springboks ingoal area where Tialata just headed Greg Rawlinson in the race for the touchdown. Carter's conversion from wide out was a formality, and then right on halftime, Carter landed a third penalty goal from 60 metres out. New Zealand started the second half with a fourth penalty goal for Carter and then five minutes into the spell the recovery was complete when flanker Reuben Thorne fielded a downfield kick by Akona Ndungane. He fed a flying Muliaina who linked with left wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and then fed second five-eighths Luke McAlister who was assured of his try from 40m. Fullback Percy Montgomery kicked a penalty goal for South Africa's first points of the half. When stretching for a attempted try after a superb Carter break, Masoe injured his knee and was replaced by Jerry Collins. Collins had an immediate impact from a tap penalty when he fed Sivivatu for a 40m run to the line. A minute later, another tap penalty taken by halfback Piri Weepu resulted in good lead-up work by lock Ali Williams and McAlister which provided a deserved try for Muliaina. Carter's conversion took it to 38-14. A neatly slipped pass by No.8 Jacques Cronje saw centre Jacques Fourie in for a 63rd minute try and moments later he was in again from a well-worked backline move. However, a well-placed Collins grubber kick with five minutes remaining bounced into Gear's hands and he had no-one in front of him on a 40-metre run to the line to cap the win.

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.