All 18 points: Morne Steyn
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Morné Steyn kicked all of South Africa's points as they beat New Zealand 18-5 in Saturday's Tri-Nations clash in Port Elizabeth.
The All Blacks scored the only try of the game, but were outmuscled up front by their hosts. The whole Bok team tackled their hearts out and Steyn's strong tactical kicking, especially in the second half, allowed them to keep the visitors pinned back.
As has become the norm in clashes between these sides, the All Blacks looked the more dangerous side with ball in hand, but the Springboks can count themselves deserved winners and will take encouragement from their improvement in defence and at scrum time in their final game before the World Cup.
It was South Africa's best performance of the year - by some margin - but the Springbok management will continue to be concerned by their team's inability to cross the try line. (Peter de Villiers' team have scored just three tries this year - all by hookers John Smit and Chiliboy Ralepelle.)
By contrast, Graham Henry's task of picking his backs for the World Cup was made no easier by strong performances by Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Hosea Gear. However Adam Thomson's hopes of making the starting XV on September 9 took a step backwards as his overeagerness cost his side a number of penalties.
Just how much can be read into this result is debatable as it would be overly harsh to judge New Zealand on the performance of a make-shift side.
New Zealand did most of the playing in the first quarter but it was the hosts who held a 12-0 lead after half-an-hour as their charged-up pack forced the All Blacks to infringe at the rucks and at scrum time.
Steyn moved the Boks further ahead with a neat drop-goal but it was the men in black who would cross the whitewash for the game's only try, courtesy of Richard Kahui, who muscled his way past three defenders after Gear had cut through the Boks' defensive curtain with a searing run.
South Africa led 15-5 at half time with Steyn's fifth penalty the only points of the second period.
Man of the match: The home side's cover defence saved their bacon on a number of occasions with Jaque Fourie coming to the rescue two or three times. But we'll go for Morné Steyn who not only scored all the hosts' points, but generally controlled the game.
Moment of the match: With the All Blacks trailing by ten points, Jimmy Cowan's disallowed try will be subject of debate for a long time to come. Dagg's final pass was certainly forward... and television match official Johann Meuwesen made sure referee George Clancy knew about it.
Villain of the match: It wasn't tiddlywinks but no one deserves a mention.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Pens: Steyn 5
Drop: Steyn
For New Zealand:
Try: Kahui
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Butch James.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Isaia Toeava, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (capt) 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Comments
tahi says...
JayStarr its quite clear you either haven't been to NZ or haven't watched rugby games in NZ. Nearly every game in NZ is played in damp conditions due to time of kickoff and the fact that winter in NZ means exactly that. Having now taught you a little about the country actually HOSTING the tournament please inform me with your rugby knowledge when was the last time you ever saw a NZ rugby team not run the ball...thats right it doesn't happen and yes in the past it has cost them games even at the highest level but it doesn't change the fact a NZ team on form playing their style will always beat a SA style game plan.
As for Grapple why is it that you rely on history so much? Strong defence who have to be joking right. 29 tackles is unforgiveable at club rugby let alone international. Rugby is a percentage game and had passes being made, kicks being kicked even you know that the score last saturday would have been different. Don't try and tell me that you really thing that NZ can't score tries from their own half or that they couldn't win a rugby game with less ball than the opposition.
If you love history so much tell when was the last time a team beat NZ in a World Cup in NZ. NEVER. But what has that got to do with 2011? You seem to love 2003 and 2007 so much maybe sleep on that one.
Posted 11:11 25th August 2011
sukkadoits says...
The ref did not police the breakdown like SH refs. He allowed many people off their feet at the ruck, and slowing the ball down was allowable. This suited SA much more, just throwing men at rucks knowing that the ball would be slow and the ball could not reach the edges of the defense. I thought this had a great bearing on the game. It's not biased, just a clash of styles. Ironically, i believe SA refs are the best at cleaning the ruck and indeed the best in the world.
Posted 01:37 25th August 2011
Ramage says...
@ jaystarr thanks for your reply and the way you commented on my post much appreciated. I just add referees are not the law makers it is only their job to apply them and thus my argument not make them.
Any way it has happened so it is time to move on although it will be interesting to see if the IRB continues to appoint home referees as TMO in tests after the RWC as its too late to replace any for this weekend. Watch very carefully and see whether Mr Meuweesen is appointed to any further TMO positions in test matches especially those involving South Africa. As they say watch this space.
Now we move on to the final game of the Tri Nations and all is up for grabs so an interesting game awaits us. Once again I will be fascinated to see the fitness of the referee when two teams who play running rugby go head to head. I believe last weeks referee was found wanting and just goes to show why Joubert and Kaplan and Lawrenc are such good referees. Oh by the way I mean Mark Lawrence not Bryce lol.
Posted 13:03 24th August 2011
JayStarr says...
@ Ramage: Fair enough... agree with most of what you're saying - except that this has set back refereeing... I think this will actually force them to take a step forward. It has highlighted the flaw in the rule and I'm sure it will be looked at after the World Cup.
As for whether South Africans would've reacted the same if it was their "try" - I can only speak for myself and say yes, I would've. If the argument was whether it was a forward pass or not, then you might have found more biased resistence. But everyone agrees that it was a forward pass - and therefore shouldn't have been a try.
The argument is now between the law-worshippers and those who can see the bigger picture... ;P
@ cuw31: Oh... well that is not the way they explained it when I went to tour Wimbledon. I don't watch cricket, but maybe there are different ways to use it. I'm sure at Wimbledon they said there are lasers just above the surface of the court and they can tell where the ball landed by checking where the ball broke through the lazer. I don't know - I'm not a technology buff... As for the sensor inside the ball: I didn't say that is what they do with Hawkeye - I suggested that as a cheaper alternative for judging forward passes.
@ tahi: You obviously don't know as much about rugby as you think you do..!
First of all, if it is wet you can't play running rugby... And more often than not it is going to be wet.
Secondly, no matter how much the IRB has changed the rules - if you want to score tries, you:
a) still need the ball;
b) still need to get out of your own half; and
c) still need to get through your opponent's defense.
And if you give away 3 penalties for every try you score, you can still lose!
So what if the Boks didn't score any tries - they didn't need to! They showed last year against AUS that when they need to, they can.
And they will.
Posted 13:05 23rd August 2011
tahi says...
Sasquatch I am guessing you are one of the many SA supporters who really believe that SA are going to get better than what we saw last week. What makes me laugh is that you keep going on about how the SA 'best XV' team have only played 1 game together leading into this years Tri-Nations. Fair assessment if your game plan and team players had changed in the past 100 years but it hasn't! You keep telling youself that they will get better with more games; the reality is nothing has changed in terms of players or game tactics and if you thing kick chase rugby will win the WC2011 then watch the upsets in your pool. IRB have changed the rules in favour of the team that wants to play with the ball. If Samoa and Fiji play their natural game SA should be worried. A try will always be more than a penalty.
Posted 10:38 23rd August 2011
7ton says...
trinats
Good bit of honesty from you about bagging the ref.
Trouble is most of us bag the ref even if he was right which is something you excel at far more than any other. LOL!
Posted 00:34 23rd August 2011
7ton says...
Rugbynut
So in your books if the ball happens to goes forward when a player tries to pass it while being tackled that's cheating? What a joke. And you go on about honesty and integrity.
Posted 23:25 22nd August 2011
Ramage says...
@jay starr protocols or laws the fact is Meuwesen was out of line read what O'Brien has said about wanting a replyf rom both Meuwesen and Clancy for officiating outside the protocols. I have no problem with a try being disallowed by the ruling of a TMO but not by one outside the protocols.Yes the TMO should be given that right and it needs to be introduced. The trouble is how far that goes back in the movement. The referee and his assistant missed the forward pass and if the decision was a try would have looked foolish. Sorry that is their problem. I agree that the right outcome was achieved but was done illegally. Meuwesen did not have the jurisdiction to do that and Watson knows it. Unfortunately now it comes down to the nationality of the men in question. Watson a South African supporting his beleagured TMO OBrien supporting the rule law protocol a NZer so therefore arguments will be over the nationality of the various participants including you and I. what I am saying is officials are there to use whatever laws rules or protocols have it as you may and must not make the laws rules or protocols. It is clear the TMO must only answer the question he was asked try or no try as he only adjudicates at this stage on the try or whether the player was in touch before touching down. Should this be changed yes it should but at this stage it hasnt. As an ex referee no way would I try to influence a game which was outside my brief. To me this has set back refereeing and we will now see TMO positions return to non home country referees. I wonder what would have happened had it been South Africa that had scored such a try would the people writing be so in favour of the decision if it went against their country? I am clear in my mind that I would still argue the same way. However one is tempted to ask would such a suggestion have been raised. I certainly hope so.
Posted 19:24 22nd August 2011
JayStarr says...
@ Trader: did you get lost on your way to the rugby365 comment wall..?
I don't even know where to begin... So for the sake of Dylster I'll keep it short and say "no comment"..!
Posted 16:44 22nd August 2011
Carpelone says...
For your information, France have selected a 17 forwards / 13 backs squad. I think that this is the wisest combination, although I am not a fan of Lievremont.
New Zealand should definitely go with it, since Kahui can serve on the wing and either Jane or Dagg can serve as fullback / wing.
Posted 16:44 22nd August 2011
davodiablo says...
@Leebok "I believe the video ref asked if the ref wanted to know what happened before the try, he then gave his verdict. I dont see why this is a discussion point. "
This is what we are discussing . Section 6 B .
6.A.6 REFEREE CONSULTING WITH OTHERS
(a) The referee may consult with assistant referees in regard to matters relating to their duties, the Law relating to foul play or timekeeping and may request assistance related to other aspects of the referee¿s duties including the adjudication of offside.
(b) A match organiser may appoint an official who uses technological devices. If the referee is unsure when making a decision in in-goal involving a try being scored or a touch down, that official may be consulted.
The official may be consulted if the referee is unsure when making a decision in in-goal with regard to the scoring of a try or a touch down when foul play in in-goal may have been involved.
The official may be consulted in relation to the success or otherwise of kicks at goal.
The official may be consulted if the referee or assistant referees are unsure if a player was or was not in touch when attempting to ground the ball to score a try.
The official may be consulted if the referee or assistant referees are unsure when making a decision relating to touch-in-goal and the ball being made dead if a score may have occurred.
(c) A match organiser may appoint a timekeeper who will signify the end of each half.
(d) The referee must not consult with any other persons.
Posted 16:01 22nd August 2011
JayStarr says...
@ Sasquatch: Good question!
The real question should be "who would apply?" Because after the way PdV have been treated by the media and fans, I can't see anyone wanting that job!
I think if either Plumtree or Mitchell are involved it should never be as head coach. SA has enough talented South African coaches available... and foreign coaches will never be able to get the best out of our players. Besides, Plumtree's teams have always had a problem with consistency and players have always been divided on Mitchell's dictatorial style... so I just don't think they are ideal.
Personally I would love to see Nick Mallet there, but he won't apply. I also don't think Heineke Meyer would apply again - and with the type of exciting players we have coming through, that's a good thing. Dick Muir should also not bother. Brendan Venter is too radical for SARU, Alan Solomans is committed to the Kings and Gert Smal to Ireland.
That basically leaves us with Rassie and Alistair. Rassie proved in his first year with the Stormers that his success with the Cheetahs was no fluke, but for obvious reasons I think Coetzee would be SARU's favourite... However, if we can't have Nick Mallet he is actually my favourite too. He has developed into a fantastic coach and is surely the best of our SR coaches. Plus he has experience in developing new players and winning a World Cup.
My only concern is that he'll make Schalk Burger the captain - I don't think he's a good captain at all. Schalk shouldn't even be in the team anymore. Bismarck is my pick for captain - not only because he'll literally lead from the front, but also because, from now on, as long as he's fit he'll be in the team.
As for Coetzee's assistants: I wouldn't mind if he takes Matt Proudfoot with him, but I hope he leaves Fleckie in Cape Town! I think Paul Treu would make the ideal backline/attack coach.
Posted 14:01 22nd August 2011
JayStarr says...
@ cuw31: It feels like you ignored the gist of my argument and are nitpicking a bit - my point with laws/rules was that they can be discussed and changed. Also, Hawkeye was a quick suggestion - I did not lay out exactly how I think it should be used. My exact thoughts on it actually takes all of what you said into consideration. For example, if each team only gets one challenge per half they would not stop the game willy-nilly - and by limiting it to simple decisions it won't take any longer than the average prop's "injury". With the right technology the TMO would often know the answer before the ref has even asked him. As for camera angles - Hawkeye doesn't use cameras, it uses lasers. Field angle (many rugby fields are higher in the middle than on the touch-lines) is more likely to be a problem. But a simple sensor inside the ball would allow for much simpler (cheaper) technology to be used. As for "this is the way the game has been played for the last 100 years" - that can be said for tennis as well... but they've adapted - without any detriment to the game. They realised their sport is not played by amateurs anymore - big money, sponsorship and careers are at stake... so wherever possible, the right decisions must be made.
My last musing, before I bore Dylster to death...
Against the Wallabies the Boks won in almost every area of the game, "except on the scoreboard". Against the All Blacks the Boks lost in almost every area of the game, except on the scoreboard! The big difference between those games was that in the second game the Boks' scrum, defense and goal-kicking was closer to their usual standard...
The fact that they are playing in the toughest pool means that they will be battle hardened come the finals - including their scrum, defense and kicking game. Considering the expected weather conditions... I'll leave it with you.
Posted 12:18 22nd August 2011
Sasquatch says...
Hey Bok fans, I want to hear who you think should be/will be next Bok coach and captain. Will All Black fans please keep your opinions to yourselves because we're not interested (maybe John Plumtree or John Mitchell!)!
Posted 12:00 22nd August 2011
JayStarr says...
@ Ramage: see my 2nd post (André Watson's quote). Protocols - not part of the laws.
@ Rolf: Nonu and Smith were very poor for the Hurricanes this year - they only played well in their last couple of games for the AB's. JdV and Fourie made the SR finals the year before and the semi-finals this year... They might not be as lethal as they were on attack, but their composure, consistency, defensive organisation and reading of the game is unmatched. As for Genia - no doubt he's been the form scrum-half over the last year or so... but then Du Preez hardly touched a rugby ball over the last year or so. Before his operation he was undoubtedly the king. So wait to see how they perform at the WC before you dethrone him...
@ Trader: you obviously did not understand (or read) my whole argument - because that was not it. But seeing that you did not pay attention the first time, I'm not going to waste my time (or space) doing a "for Dummies" version now. Re-read the original properly if you want an answer.
@ KiwiKev: thanks... ha ha.
@ dylster: yeah yeah, I know... I just missed you all so much :P As for shorter posts... you'll have to chop a couple of my finger off!
Posted 11:42 22nd August 2011
rugby_rockstar says...
Great to see the video ref using common sense with the forward pass to Cowan. It would have been an injustice if it had been given. Makes a pleasent change to see NZ forward passes being pinged!
Posted 11:21 22nd August 2011
Carpelone says...
What would have happened if Clancy placed the right question "is there any reason not to award the try?". The TMO could have well said what he has actually suggested, just in case on a knock-on on the tryline.
Posted 09:37 22nd August 2011
dylster says...
well i wish this guy was the TMO in 'a certain 07 quarterfinal' and the ref in that game had gone to the TMO!! (Makes you wonder)
And Jaystarr, I said to myself when you announced your retirement 'pffft, he'll be back' and whaddya know! i was right! good to see you posting again, maybe shorter posts ay?
As a kiwi Im glad the TMO called it. I hate losing, but I also hate winning unfairly.
Good scrambling defence by the boks ay, good line breaks by the kiwis. Must admit I thought Dagg would have been rusty, but glad to be proved wrong.
Cmon ABs! Please let this be our year....
Posted 09:09 22nd August 2011
letsgoboks says...
Bok backline is limp on attack. They need to score tries.
If the AB's finished off one or two of their several opportunities, boosting their confidence that scoreline would've been very different.
Good to finally get a win though. Nice to see Habana have a decent game again.
Posted 08:58 22nd August 2011
ruggaluva says...
Regarding the TMO debate i reckon that the TMO should take it from either where play last broke down OR 1 min before the try.
This is no slant at the ABs but actually a compliment.... they break so quickly and unexpectedly that they often get away with many more forward passes especially in the offloads. As far as i could see the pass to Dagg in his own half looked forward too.
Its time for Technology to make an impact on the game.
Posted 08:27 22nd August 2011