New Zealand put off-field controversies behind them to cruise to a comfortable five-try win over South Africa in today's Tri-Nations clash. After beating Australia 12-6 last weekend, the All Blacks were big favourites to repeat the trick in emphatic fashion against an inexperienced Springbok side.
It was not all plain sailing, however, with the tourists tearing into the hosts from the off and establishing a surprise early lead thanks to Werner Greef's sixth-minute try.
But the superior handling and pace of the All Blacks soon saw them exert their authority and they went in at the break with an eight-point lead.
While the Boks briefly rallied after half-time when Marius Joubert capitalised on a mistake from replacement Tana Umaga to score, the home side pulled away thanks to tries from Justin Marshall and Scott Robertson.
After former All Black Chris Laidlaw blew up a storm yesterday by claiming that selectors were favouring non-Maoris, the Kiwis took to the field with just one player racially qualified to lead the Haka. The Boks responded to the traditional Maori chant, led by Caleb Ralph, by marching towards their opponents. And the tourists, unhappy at what they see as disrespect from the other countries in the tournament, appeared to have won that psychological battle as they rattled into the lead.
Andrew MehrtensÕ boot put the first points on the board, but it was the Boks who landed the first significant blow when Greeff beat four tackles out wide to dance in for the try. And he added a drop goal before the All Blacks finally got into gear.
Doug Howlett went over in the corner to equal the scores, before the All Blacks caught the young South African side napping, as Mark Hammett threw a short ball around the front of the line-out to Scott Robertson, who returned the favour to send Hammett over in the corner. Mehrtens added his third penalty on the stroke of half-time.
The All Blacks learnt their lesson from the first half and allowed their visitors no quarter when they came out after the break. Aaron Mauger hacked on his own chip after Greeff had misjudged the ball. Umaga won the ball on the ground before feeding Marshall, who wrongfooted the Boks and sent the ball to Reuben Thorne who crossed for the try.
The South Africans, now 18 points down five minutes into the second half, bounced back through Joubert's try. But they were forced to accept their fate when Joubert turned from hero to villain, sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Doug Howlett.
The All Blacks made their extra man count when Marshall touched down and the South African misery was complete when Robertson got the last of five tries after a well-worked line-out move.
New Zealand: Cullen; Howlett (Lomu 61), Robinson (Umaga 31), Mauger, Ralph; Mehrtens, Marshall (Kelleher 75); Hewett, Hammett, Somerville (McDonnell 78), Jack, Maling (Willis 71), Thorne (capt), McCaw, Robertson.
South Africa: Greeff; Terblanche, Joubert, Barry, Hall; Pretorius, Conradie; Sephaka, Dalton, Meyer (Rautenbach 63), Matfield (AJ Venter 63), Labuschagne, Krige (capt), Van Niekerk, Skinstad.
Referee: S Dickinson (Australia).
