New Zealand 19 South Africa 8 The All Blacks reclaimed rugby supremacy yesterday when they overpowered world champions South Africa in an immensely physical opening Tri-Nations Test. New Zealand returned to the top of the IRB world rankings, and brought the visitors' 14-game winning streak to an abrupt halt.
The victorious hosts also extended their world record unbeaten run of home victories to 30 and won back much of the respect they lost at home following their shocking early exit from last year's World Cup.
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Both sides scored one try in pouring rain, with Dan Carter landing four penalties for the All Blacks to one by Springbok fly-half Butch James.
In a titanic battle, the All Blacks' largely new-look pack humbled the vastly experienced South African eight. They rolled them back in the scrums and Rodney So'oialo, Jerome Kaino, and Adam Thompson enjoyed an edge over Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, and Schalk Burger in the murky battle for the loose ball.
Bryan Habana scored the only try of the first half after Jean de Villiers broke through limited All Blacks defence on the blindside. The All Blacks' try came soon after the resumption of play with Carter doubling around Tony Woodcock to open a gap, sending Jerome Kaino in for the touchdown.
In Brisbane, Matt Giteau scored 20 points with four conversions and three penalties to lead Australia to a record 40-10 win over an under-strength France in the second Test.
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6 months ago
i still wince when i think about that exit at the hands of the french. i would not go as far as to say the have gained the respect of the nation back just yet. when will they ever not choke at a world cup? besides when they were poisoned in saffaland.
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