Just by way of a change, the Tri-Nations threw up something completely and utterly objectionable. For years it has been the shining light, the puritanical pathfinder, the beacon that all others must follow. Well, yesterday in Durban the Tri-Nations gave us an assault on the referee.
Shortly after half-time, as the game stood tantalisingly poised at 17-17, referee David McHugh reset a scrum after South Africa had shunted New Zealand off their own ball. He awarded the put-in to the All Blacks which was a decision too far for one of the sell-out crowd in Durban.
This large bloke in an XXL green rugby shirt with BOKKE across its back - he might have been a South African supporter - came rushing on to the field. His shirt failed to stretch over a majestic embonpoint but its bearer gamely sumo-ed McHugh to the ground.
The All Black back row, perhaps conscious of the fact that McHugh had rather generously awarded them a penalty try in the first half, leapt to the ref's defence. The assailant departed with a bloody nose, in an arm-lock. Mr McHugh of Ireland left the field on a golf cart, clutching his shoulder.
Chris White of England took over and presided over the remainder of the game that contained but one single try. In the time whistled by McHugh the game had produced five tries and touched rare heights of performance on the field and over-excitement in the stands. Under McHugh the All Blacks looked more likely to win; under White they duly finished the job and look almost certain to be crowned champions of the Tri-Nations.
The Springboks, however, played with dash and issued a few warnings about the future. In a few years' time their young team could be running everyone ragged. They scored with their first movement of the game, a flowing sweep over the sun-kissed turf that began when one of their old guard, hooker James Dalton, pinched a ball on the deck and watched Marius Joubert, Dean Hall, Werner Greeff and finally Nick de Kock race away to the line.
But if the zestful Springboks can score, they can also give away tries. Joubert bought a dummy sold by Andrew Mehrtens and the All Blacks were over through Leon MacDonald. De Kock then had a simple kick charged down. Tana Umaga, who had a splendidly inventive game in the centre, was taken high by Joubert and De Wet Barry and the referee awarded the penalty try. It did look a bit harsh, not because the first hit was not high, but because it was not entirely certain the All Blacks would have scored.
South Africa were then denied a try because of some innocuous crossing near the breakdown as South Africa were spreading the ball wide to Brayton Paulse. More rage from the crowd. They were temporarily appeased as Joe Van Niekirk, a brilliant ball-handler and runner in the back-row, was involved twice in a move up the field. Andre Pretorius was also included twice. His second involvement was to touch down after his own kick ahead. However, no sooner had they scored, than the Springboks let in another. Umaga pulled in two defenders and freed up Doug Howlett, to whom he passed. All square at half-time.
Then came the one-man pitch invasion. It left everyone spluttering about how there is no place for this in rugby. Well, it probably wasn't as bad as Neil Back, a player, laying hands on the official. Anyway, the game resumed and South Africa briefly threatened to cut loose and produce an upset. But the All Blacks held firm and took control. Aaron Mauger crossed after a series of blasts on the line proved irresistible.
South Africa: Greeff, Paulse, Joubert, Barry (Russell 50), Hall, Pretorius, N. de Kock (Conradie 50; Rautenbach 58), Sephaka, Dalton, Meyer (Le Roux 58, Labuschagne, A. Venter (Matfield 72), Krige (Scholtz 72), van Niekerk, Skinstad. Replacements not used: Jacobs.
New Zealand: MacDonald (Gibson 61), Howlett, Umaga, A. Mauger, Ralph, Mehrtens, Marshall (Kelleher 70), Hewett, T. Willis (Hammett 55), Somerville, Maling, Jack, Thorne (capt, Broomhall 67), McCaw, Robertson.
Replacements not used: McDonnell, Holah, Lomu.
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland).
South Africa Tries: de Kock, Pretorius Cons: Pretorius (2) Pens: Pretorius (2) Drop goal: Pretorius
New Zealand Tries: MacDonald, penalty, Howlett, Mauger Cons: Mehrtens (2) Pens: Mehrtens (2) : 23 30
