Coach Steve Hansen praised his players, the youthful and the experienced, after the All Blacks downed South Africa 29-15 to go top of the Rugby Championship.
The physical and incident-packed clash in Auckland included the dismissal of Springboks hooker Bismarck du Plessis early in the second half after his second yellow card.
The All Blacks themselves finished with 13 men after skipper Kieran Read, who scored two of their tries, and inside centre Ma’a Nonu were sin-binned in the last eight minutes.
“It was a really intense Test match, one that had a bit of everything and I’m very proud of how we came through it,” Hansen said.
“In games like tonight, you need your big players to stand up and they did, including the guy beside me [Read].”
But Hansen also highlighted the performances of the younger brigade and the likes of openside flanker Sam Cane, lock Brodie Retallick and replacement five-eighth Beauden Barrett.
Of the yellow cards, Hansen said he had no complaints, adding that referees had to make decisions in the moment.
However, he did feel du Plessis was unlucky to get his first after 15 minutes, even if five-eighth Dan Carter came out of the incident with a shoulder injury.
Hansen said Carter was likely to be out for four-to-six weeks, which would rule him out of the rest of the tournament.
In what looked like a harsh decision, Du Plessis was ruled to have made a no-arms and high tackle.
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer declined to comment on the officiating, saying his side had no excuses.
“I thought the better team won on the day,” he said.
“That’s why they’re the world champions.”
However, Meyer did say being down to 14 for most of the match affected not only their defence, but also their scrummaging and drives from the lineout.
New Zealand, the defending champions, scored four tries to two in going above South Africa on the table.
The result meant the All Blacks maintained their record of not having lost at Eden Park since 1994, and not against the Springboks at the ground since 1937.
They made a flying start in front of a sell-out 48,000 crowd, with Read, taking over the captaincy from the injured Richie McCaw, scoring after three minutes from a lineout.
Then, with South Africa a man down, Barrett, on for Carter, made a big break that led to Retallick’s first Test try.
The Springboks replied through du Plessis on his return from his first yellow card, after they backed their attacking maul.
Down 14-3, they turned down a handy penalty attempt and the decision to go for the lineout paid dividends as they drove the hooker over.
But when du Plessis went off for good for a fend with his elbow at the neck of flanker Liam Messam, the All Blacks took almost immediate advantage with Read scoring his second try after an attacking scrum.
The All Blacks’ bonus point try came 13 minutes from time when Cane forced his way over.
Read was then carded for interfering with a player in the air, and Nonu for a late tackle.
South Africa ended up having the last word, replacement back Pat Lambie dotting down with six minutes to go.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
'Didn t expect any better from them.' And likewise from you, you absolute sweetheart.
Skirttheissue
Guest
+1
Skirttheissue
Guest
In 2006 due to pressure from the WRUB, the AB's performed the haka in their dressing room at Cardiff - went on to beat Wales 45-10.
Michael
Guest
the Kiwis would probably have won it anyway. But the ref killed it as a match, a celebration, and a grand occasion for any rugby lover of any nation. That is the point, that 1 man with tmo technology, could possibly destroy careers and impact emotionally and financially on millions of rugby lovers. They are well paid and if they fail, should face extreme censure a la Bryce Lawrence. Their actions cause immense negative consequences
AllBlack4life
Guest
Its seems that the new in thing is that whenever the boks loose they complain and moan non stop till their next win. Hopefully they can beat the weak wallabies and just shut up. If they dont then the poor refs of this world is gona hear about it till the end of time.
AllBlack4life
Guest
Who was at Newlands when the Boks lost 19 - 0. I was.
AllBlack4life
Guest
I couldnt agree with you more
AllBlack4life
Guest
The All Blacks would win. Without a doubt. Plus we will let the S.A media pick your team and complain the whole game and you can pick your favourite ref but the bottom line is WE WILL STILL WIN.
AllBlack4life
Guest
Magic i dont know if u have noticed but the All Blacks are use to winning in S.A.and all over the world for that matter. We dont depend on home ground advantage like you do. Why do you think they are not allowed to play at Newlands?
AllBlack4life
Guest
Bismark knew what he was doing when charged Dan with the shoulder. Yes i said it, it was a shoulder charge without using his arms. The commentators was obvious as bias as they always is so nothing they said hold any water. The media in S.A decides for the masses who did what on the field and they just happily go along with it since its makes the loss easier if you have a commen complain(Its like the worldcup all over again).
1/2ScotKiwi
Guest
Edward the 12 year old Troll
frisky
Guest
Two things have come out of this game for me: 1. Is it an offense to tackle a man in the air if he is jumping to catch a pass?? As pointed out, everyone could jump as they receive the ball and be immune to being tackled if that was the case. 2. Was Bismarck (what a good name for a strong man) off-side or not ?? I cannot see from my recording - he comes into the picture just as he makes the tackle, but does not show where he was standing at the start of teh movement. Can anybody help?
Shaun
Guest
Definitely NOT offside, an argument some AB supporters have used to justify the yellow card...which of course shows their bias and absolute ignorance. Rewind the game 20 sec you'll see the AB's take a 22m drop out, contest in the air and knock the ball backwards, Woodcock snaps it up and passes BEFORE being tackled to Smith who flings a hospital pass to Carter who is blindsided by Bismark...NO ruck, or mall hence it's open play so no offside and resulting in a very legal tackle, hard but legal. Ref was over awed by the situation hence a very stupid and incorrect call and then too proud to even change his mind after the video on a big screen. Nonu started the fracus because how dare someone tackle Carter so hard!! Penalty should easily have gone against the AB's for the unwarranted reaction to the tackle...3 points the the SB's...not 10min sin bin...no red card different ball game
mania
Guest
"You cannot withstand that sort of pressure for 80 mins." unless your the ABs
Hurl
Guest
That would be better than when in SA the All Blacks had to play 16 men with only 15 for 80 minutes :-) Seriously though, I don't think anyone is arguing that the red card killed off any chance of it remaining a fair contest, but to whine about it and say it's unfair ignores the fact that Bismark had a choice. The ref didn't kill the contest, the All Blacks didn't so why blame them. lay the blame at Bismarks feet. Sure the ref loaded the gun, but it was Bismark that shot his team in the foot
Jimmyjames
Guest
The second was 50/50. He did what is commonplace today. I don't agree with it by the way. Watch in slo mo - he actually leads with his forearm not elbow and his arm naturally slips up. I would have given him a yellow but most refs have not done so all season so far.
Jimmyjames
Guest
Your kidding right! The Boks dominated the scrums and the breakdowns and possession. All they need was time and more patience. You cannot withstand that sort of pressure for 80 mins. And then the ref allowed his ego to ruin the entire game!
Garth
Guest
No, he plays at 13 for the Wallabies. Or did you miss last weeks game?
Ian
Guest
Anyone reviewed if Bismarck was offside? other than that it was a legal hit. The elbow to the throat was defiantly a yellow card offence. In all it was a close game, the All Black's were the better team again though. Can't wait for round 2.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Forgotten about that. That was bad.