New Zealand retained the Tri-Nations trophy
© Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Matches: New Zealand 19 - 11 South Africa

Teams: New Zealand | South Africa

New Zealand have retained the Tri Nations title after a hard fought 19-11 triumph over South Africa at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

It was not the vintage display of running rugby from the All Blacks that many observers may have predicted and full credit must go to the Springboks for a gutsy display that disrupted the so far rampant All Blacks and pushed them all the way. And what we didn't get in try quantity we got in quality with two notable scores.

But they couldn't keep that man Joe Rokocoko out of the headlines as he grabbed his eleventh try in six appearances and became only the sixth All Black to score in five consecutive Tests. The result means New Zealand entertain the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup clash next weekend with the first part of their targets Tri Nations/World Cup double triumph in the bag.

A damp wintry surface may have put paid to any kind of try-fest as we have become accustomed to but things did not look good for the Boks when they crossed for what turned out to be their only try of the game in the opening minutes. The new look New Zealand forward pack produced a turnover and a quick thinking Aaron Mauger dabbed a kick through the Bok defensive line towards that Rokocoko raced after to touch down for the score to extend his remarkable streak.

Spencer added the extras but they were not allowed to run riot as the visitors set a defensive standard that they didn't allow to drop for the remainder of the game. In fact they soon bounced back with a try of their own through the unlikely source of prop Richard bands.

The move began with Ashwin Willemse making good ground from inside his own half, at the next ruck Joost van der Westhuizen, winning his 85th cap for the Boks with a strong display, pooped a pass to Bands who was charging at pace. The space opened up for him and he showed a great turn of speed and strength to put Spencer on his backside before holding off Mauger to dot down in the corner for one of the year's most memorable tires.

The Bok defence continued to shackle the their illustrious hosts for the remainder of the half and two penalties apiece for Spencer and Louis Koen ensured the All Blacks went into the break with a narrow 13-11 lead. And had Keon been having a more assured day with the boot the Boks may have well gone into the break holding the advantage.

There may have been a fear that the All Blacks would step up a gear in the second period and crush any hopes the Boks had but that fear never materialised. As England showed earlier this summer, in conditions not too different from today's, the Boks got reward for squeezing the game and limiting the amount of time and space New Zealand had with the ball.

In the end the Boks were penalised for their indiscipline with the only second half scores coming from the boot of Spencer. His two penalties put the game just out of reach for the Boks but they could not be faulted for their endeavour and had Koen slotted his fair share we would have had an even closer contest.

For once in this year's series the All Blacks had to rely on the kicking game of Spencer to maintain their winning run and Mitchell will be glad his side came through the test. The win brought the title but the performance will still have given Mitchell and his coaching team plenty of food for thought. They are far from the finished article.

As for Rudolf Straeuli and his Boks another defeat will be hard to take but they will take heart from a credible performance, as will all observers who witnessed and read about their indiscretions last weekend. We have yet to see any dynamic attacking play to strike fear into the hearts of opponents but this strong defensive showing is a very valuable building block.