New Zealand 19 South Africa 8
Welcome back!
If you were expecting a tough and torrid first Tri-Nations match for 2008 then you were right on the money. All those spectators at the windy and bitterly cold Wellington stadium received a game that lived up to all expectations. The All Blacks were too good in the end but the tough and combative attitudes of both teams were a highlight as neither were willing to give an inch for the whole 80 minutes.
The match offered up an early penalty kick for Dan Carter but he missed an excellent chance to take the lead early. It did not take long before he slotted over first points shortly after to give the All Blacks a 3-0 lead. The match rocked back and forward from both teams trading penalties and smashing each other around at the breakdown. John Smit was sensational for the Boks as was stand in captain for the All Blacks Rodney So’liolo. The All Black scrum had the edge over the mobile and massive Boks pack throughout the night but leading into half time with the All Blacks enjoying a 9-3 lead the Boks created a try from nothing. With five minutes to the break De Villiers broke through the All Blacks line and Habana was on the spot to finish off the movement by diving over the line out wide. It was unconverted by James and the score was 9-8 just before the break. In the final two minutes before the break the Springboks were dealt a massive body blow with their best performer John Smit coming off the field with a leg injury, this was to cost them dearly as they lost momentum after half time.
The second half commenced just like the first, both sides full of passion and zeal but whatever Graham Henry said at half-time worked a treat as the All Blacks scored a try after three minutes to Jeremy Kaino after the All Blacks maintained good ball and drove forward. The try was converted and the lead was out to 16-8. The match rocked backwards and forwards until the end with the All Blacks perhaps slightly stronger and the Springboks were hampered by less go forward without Smit and also were trying to chase a try. Dan Carter once again stretched the lead to 19-8 but it was all won by this stage and the All Blacks had won a sensational match. Dan Carter was awesome once again proving to be one of the best in the world, the whole New Zealand side were impressive while for the losers Schalk Burger was a tower of strength making key tackles and was the main go forward for the Boks in the last 40 minutes.
Both teams will face up again next week in Dunedin in the second Tri-Nations match of the season.
New Zealand 19
Tries: Jerome Kaino
Goals: Daniel Carter 4 penalties, 1 conversion
South Africa 8
Tries: Bryan Habana
Goals: Butch James 1 penalty
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