Late tries give All Blacks dramatic Test win over Springboks...
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw sparked a stunning revival which saw his side claim a victory over South Africa in the last minute of play with two tries in the last three minutes for a 29-22 win at the National Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday (NZT).
Down 17-22 with three minutes left, McCaw was on the right flank on his own when receiving the ball with three defenders coming across. He was confident he had grounded the ball but television evidence was needed to see if his foot had been in touch. The evidence was inconclusive and the try was awarded.
First five-eighths Dan Carter was unable to add the conversion but from the re-start the Springboks looked to get into position to attempt a dropped goal, but the ball was turned over and when second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu executed a superb midfield break he set up the chance for a win.
He weighted a perfect, long pass across to replacement wing Israel Dagg and he raced away to score the match, and championship, winner.
New Zealand was able to claim its 10th Investec Tri Nations title and extend its run of winning Tests to 14.
It was a case of All Blacks stamina carrying the day after a final quarter of attack after attack. It was a nervous time and both first five-eighths, Dan Carter for New Zealand and Morne Steyn for South Africa, were guilty of making uncharacteristic mistakes, Carter dropping a catch and Steyn kicking too long.
But, ultimately, it was the All Blacks' desire to keep moving the ball that wore the outstanding South African defence down. They made several key breaks that went close to producing tries before finally getting the formula right.
After Steyn and Carter exchanged two penalty goals each, it was a 24th minute penalty that was tapped by Steyn, in a position where he would normally have kicked for goal, which set up the first genuine try-scoring chance. It was flanker Schalk Burger who drove at the line, was grounded, and then driven over by following lock Flip van der Merwe.
Moments later, Carter landed a penalty goal from 50m to reduce the margin to four points. But when Joe Rokocoko was penalised for blocking halfback Francois Hougaard's kick ahead, Steyn landed his third penalty goal.
Three minutes from halftime the All Blacks gained the ball in midfield from a Springbok knock-on and lock Brad Thorn charged through a gap to set up a chance, the ball was cleared efficiently and after Carter found half a gap it was moved to Nonu, who then found the unlikely pair of lock Tom Donnelly and prop Tony Woodcock on his flank.
The tight forwards handled the situation with aplomb and Woodcock was able to cross the goal-line wide out unopposed to score the try.
Referee Nigel Owen got himself in strife when caught among players and went to ground and play was stopped to allow him to recover.
New Zealand made a messy start to the second half, Donnelly dropped the re-start, and then when Nonu stole ball as the South Africans charged the line, it was Carter who had his kick partially charged and a try-scoring chance was only denied the home team by some clever work at the breakdown by McCaw.
New Zealand conceded a penalty at a resulting scrum and Steyn extended the lead to 19-14.
South Africa's defence proved much more solid as the All Blacks probed for openings throughout the third quarter, the only chance coming when Carter unleashed a stunning blindside break which was only stopped just short of the line. Steyn punished the All Blacks when No.8 Kieran Read joined a maul from the side with a fifth penalty goal.
But after wing Cory Jane also got very close to scoring in a run down the right flank, the Springboks were penalised and Carter pulled New Zealand back within five points.
The Springboks were better served by Juan Smith in the loose, the first time he has played for them this year. He made the breakdown more competitive and that allowed No.8 Pierre Spies more influence than in the two earlier Tests while Schalk Burger was more prominent in the loose as well. Fullback Gio Aplon was a constant menace while new halfback Hougaard was an efficient servant who kept the pressure on.
Scorers:
South Africa 22 (Schalk Burger try; Morne Steyn con, 5 pen) New Zealand 29 (Tony Woodcock, Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg tries; Dan Carter con, 4 pen). HT: 16-14.
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