Media autopsy begins in New Zealand

New Zealand's rugby pundits were united in grief following South Africa's victory in Dunedin on Saturday – a result that apparently “ended a momentous era in All Blacks rugby”.

New Zealand's rugby pundits were united in grief following South Africa's victory in Dunedin on Saturday – a result that apparently “ended a momentous era in All Blacks rugby”.

Although there was a bit of disagreement over what caused the 30-28 reversal – the referee, the player exodus to Europe and an over-reliance on drop-goals were all fingered – all agreed that the All Blacks needed to pull their socks up, and fast.

Richard Loe – New Zealand Herald

One of the reasons the All Blacks lost that test to the Boks last night was the way it was refereed. Matt Goddard is renowned for the type of control he exerts on a match and, after so many penalties and free kicks, he kind of broke the game up for the All Blacks.

I am not saying he cost them the match … but Goddard's style didn't do them any favours either and maybe suited the Boks more.

The [All Blacks] looked a bit flat after last week … the Boks did a little better at the possession contesting points, I thought. Some will blame the All Blacks' lack of depth and, fair enough, it was obvious we had a pair of young locks on after Ali Williams went off injured.

Not that Anthony Boric or Kevin O'Neill played poorly – they didn't. But things just didn't flow and they didn't get things going their way and the All Blacks as a whole just didn't seem to have the experience to make the game go their way.

But this was a puzzlingly flat All Black performance. Ma'a Nonu did well enough but maybe he could have run more instead of passing last night, as he caused them real problems when he did that, especially towards the end.

The loosies were disappointing, too. Jerome Kaino had a quiet time after his fine match last week and Adam Thomson had a dull match. Not that he played badly. But I don't think he and Kaino gave So'oialo the support they did the previous test.

Daniel Gilhooly – The Dominion Post

Those who lampooned the All Blacks for not attempting a dropped goal in their World Cup rugby collapse against France might have to think again.

Last night's 28-30 Tri-Nations loss to the Springboks was notable for four attempted dropped goals by first five-eighth Daniel Carter but just one success – proof that the scoring method isn't the automatic three points that some make it out to be.

Twice Carter could have won the game in the dying minutes but his first attempt was wide and the second more desperate snap from 40m charged down as five defenders zoomed at him.

It represented a change in mindset from the World Cup quarterfinal loss in Cardiff last October, where New Zealand kept the ball in hand rather than attempt three points.

At Cardiff Henry put a call out to consider a dropped goal but captain Richie McCaw chose to seek a penalty through holding possession.

The same call went out from the coach last night and this time his team followed instructions but a two-point defeat was again the result.

Greg Ford – Sunday Star Times

The full ramifications of the overseas player exodus came back to haunt New Zealand rugby last night.

But referee Matt Goddard probably had the biggest impact on the match. The Aussie was in a whistle-happy mood and at times looked out of his depth in the white-hot atmosphere of his first Tri Nations test. His yellow-carding of Victor Matfield for an innocuous high shot near the end of the match could have proved pivotal. Fortunately for the Boks it didn't.

But don't expect to see Goddard in charge of a test in the southern hemisphere for some time.

So Boks coach Peter de Villiers' team now have their nose in front and may in fact close the deal next week if it can defeat the Wallabies on their way back to the republic. That would mean the Boks have to be beaten at home. And given the lack of depth Graham Henry now has at its disposal that would appear a tall order.

Gregor Paul – New Zealand Herald

The drain of talent finally caught up with the All Blacks last night as they had to surrender their 30-game unbeaten run at home.

Their inexperience undid them, that, and a much-improved Springbok side that played with an accuracy and tactical acumen to match their physicality.

The defeat will hurt but it was not a night without hope for the All Blacks. The silver lining was that they stuck in and competed for 40 minutes when they looked to be in real trouble coming into half-time.

But the loss of so many players in the last 18 months was going to have an effect at some stage.

Marc Hinton – The Independent

Worrying signs of weakness, or just a blip on the graph? … The All Blacks were outplayed up front, out-executed when it mattered most and found out in terms of the hard edge required to get home in a match of this intensity. It was fine line stuff, with halfback Ricky Januarie's moment of brilliance five minutes from the end the difference, but there was no doubting that Graham Henry's men should have done better with a five-point lead, a man up and just a half-dozen minutes remaining.

But still the All Blacks coaches were hammering a positive message out of a negative result. The signs, they reckoned, were good that this young pack is building the sort of experience that will bring the rewards down the track. Panic buttons were nowhere near to being depressed.

[But] they must learn from this bitter experience. And quick. The Wallabies loom in a fortnight and suddenly look a formidable prospect too.

Grant Fox – Sunday Star Times

The Springboks have breathed new life into the Tri-Nations and confirmed our great rivalry is as strong as ever. Their first ever win at Carisbrook was a triumph of perseverance, commitment and the never-say-die attitude we've come to expect from our Bok opponents.

There will be the inevitable carping about the All Blacks' performance, but I hope we do not over-do it and disrespect the outstanding grit shown by the visitors.

Let's also not forget the Boks won with their skipper Victor Matfield in the sin-bin for 10 minutes. It was a performance of sterling character which will make the Tri-Nations intriguing from here. The title is wide open and up for grabs now.