The Sunday Mail
ARDIE SAVEA lived up to his star billing with a colossal try as New Zealand thrashed South Africa 41-13 to take a firm grip on the Rugby Championship in Christchurch yesterday. The runaway competition leaders again banked a bonus point, their fourth in four matches, to be in an almost unbeatable position in the championship with two rounds still to play.
But in the replay of last year’s World Cup semifinal at Twickenham, which the All Blacks won 20-18, they again struggled to get on top in another gripping encounter between two of rugby’s fiercest rivals.
They were only 15-10 ahead at halftime and did not begin to pull away until eight minutes into the second spell when Savea showed his devastating skill with the ball, handling twice in the move that set up Ben Smith’s try.
Did you know?The haka has been performed by New Zealand’s rugby teams since 1888. It is an ancient posture dance performed by the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, the ritual was performed just before warriors headed to battle
Savea, starting a test for the first time, then carried two Springboks on his back as he charged over for a try of his own and after 56 minutes, with the All Blacks ahead 29-13, the outcome was obvious.
The All Blacks touched down six times, with Savea and Smith joined by Julian Savea, Israel Dagg, Sam Whitelock and TJ Perenare, while Beauden Barrett kicked four conversions and a penalty.
For South Africa, Bryan Habana scored an early try with Elton Jantjies landing a conversion and two penalties.
The Springboks had been widely written off before the game but stepped up against the All Blacks, producing a sterner defence than that presented by either Australia or Argentina before them.
The win extended the All Blacks unbeaten streak to 15 as they close in on the record of 17 consecutive wins for a tier one nation which they currently share with South Africa.
It also extended their unbeaten home run to 44 dating back to 2009 when South Africa were the last visiting team to win a test in New Zealand with a 32-29 victory in Hamilton.
Scorers:
New Zealand: Tries: Israel Dagg (23),Julian Savea (29),Ben Smith (52),Ardie Savea (59),Samuel Whitelock (66),TJ Perenara (72), Conversions: Beauden Barrett (30, 53, 59, 73)Penalty Goal: Beauden Barrett (10) South Africa: Try: Bryan Habana (20),Conversion:Elton Jantjies (21)Penalty Goals:Elton Jantjies (38, 57)
