All Blacks 41 Springboks 13

Another trophy locked away for the season. The Springboks came to play, pushing the AB’s in another good first half contest, but again the AB’s turn on the class in the second half and call on the bench laden with talent other countries can only dream of. Six tries to one just seems like a way bigger thrashing than the game reflected, but that is the damage the fitness of this squad can do in the final quarter of a test.



Talking Points:

15 wins in a row now, 43 in a row at home, and no signs of that ending anytime soon considering this kind of form. Seems like an age ago we were sweating over the departure of McCaw, Carter, Smith, Nonu, Woodcock and Mealamu. It’s a ridiculously good time to be an All Blacks fan.



Set piece once again was superb. 12/13 in the lineouts and 10/12 of own scrums won. With a solid foundation like that to build from its no wonder the All Blacks are playing with such confidence with the ball around the rest of the paddock.

Julian Savea one-ups Jonah by scoring his first try against the Springboks, a feat the great Lomu never achieved. Moves to 43 tries in 47 tests. Just an incredible strike rate at any level of the game. With Ardie dotting down in his first starting test it marks the first time in All Blacks history that a pair of brothers have scored tries in the same test.



Bryan Habana played his 120th test (World record for a wing) and scores his 8th try against the All Blacks (Adam Ashley Cooper holds the record with 9). Plus he moves past David Campese to sit 2nd on the all time list with 66 tries (behind Japan’s Daisuke Ohata with 69 tries).



Owen Franks breaks the record for most tests played without a try (84 tests). With a decorated career like his I don’t think he’ll give a damn and neither should we really, he’s not out there to score tries. But its still a good stat.



Dane Coles is a dead set rugby freak of nature right now. Three try assists - lightning quick hands for the first, a sharp acceleration burst and offload for the second, and an absolute cracker of a near 20m pin point pass for the third. The guy just loves floating out on the tram lines, he’s the All Blacks 3rd winger. If he’d managed to pull off that chip and chase then the IRB would have given him the 2016 Player of the Year award there and then.



Steve Hansen suggesting there’ll likely be new faces on the bench, and maybe on the field, in the next test vs Argentina. Damien Mackenzie finally getting that test debut perhaps?



Key stats from the game:

Possession - AB’s 51%, SA 49%



Running meters - AB’s 515, SA 237.



Line Breaks - AB’s 14, SA 2



Missed Tackles - AB’s 13, SA 22

Some stats from the Rugby Championship so far:

Tries - AB’s - 24, AUS - 8, SA - 8, ARG - 7



Defenders beaten - AB’s - 116, ARG - 83, SA - 69, AUS - 55



Lineout Success - AB’s - 92.9% SA - 92.5% ARG - 92.3% AUS - 80%



Scrum Success - AB’s - 90% AUS - 88% SA - 85% ARG - 82%



Running Meters - AB’s - 2335, ARG - 1938, AUS - 1326, SA - 1163



Offloads - ARG - 78, AB’s - 66, AUS - 30, SA - 27

Player Ratings:

Ben Smith - Just so dependable at the back, and gets you on the edge of your seat every time he touches the ball. Topped the game for running metres and clean breaks, the best in the business and just so at home in the number 15 jersey. Point lost for the handling error. 8.5/10

Israel Dagg - If it wasn’t for the unwavering form of B.Smith we’d be gushing over how good Izzy Dagg has been playing. Again reaping the rewards of the AB’s slick hands with another try, he’ll take those treats any day of the week. Outrageous behind the back offload nearly leading to a miraculous try for T.J. 8/10

Malakai Fekitoa - Continues to grow in that number 13 jersey. Defensively stout, and straightens the attack when its needed, sucking in multiple defenders with every surge. One bad handling error, but overall another solid outing. A try next to his name might be what is required to win over his critics. 7.5/10

Ryan Crotty - Another sound display, developing that 12/13 combo well with Fekitoa. Was always going to be a big ask to match the highs of last week for Crotty, but still did his job in the midfield and ran his lines to effect. 7/10

Julian Savea - The Bus is really building some momentum here and it’s so very pleasing to see. Another great finish for his try, it’s what you expect from a quality wing and he’s definitely back in that category. Came off his wing to get involved when things went quiet on his touch line, and was always a handful for the poor souls he ran at. 8/10

Beauden Barrett - Wasn’t given the space to run like in previous matches, but still guided the team well around the park, and had a keen eye for the mismatches. A better effort off the kicking tee with 5/7 but still shanked one terribly to remind us its still an issue. 7.5/10

Aaron Smith - His control and play selection were outstanding, and his kicking game was causing some real issues for the Boks. Sniping runs and slick service, those cutout passes were top notch. His work rate and speed to get to practically every breakdown is truly impressive. Great to see him bounce back like that after his frustrations last week. 9/10

Kieran Read - Another day another dollar. The expectations are always set high for the All Blacks captain, and he delivers week in, week out. Set the tone early with some unforgiving defence, and stood up to the physical challenge the Boks laid down. Not seeing the flashes of brilliance with ball in hand out wide like we’re accustomed to now, but with Coles taking on that role at the moment the big guy can just knuckle down and do what he does best, like win lineout ball…and maybe kick drop goals. 8/10

Ardie Savea - A great effort in his first test start. So often in support, and rewarded with a nice try following up on Aaron Smiths break. Nabbed a turnover or two, and topped the tackle count table. A cheeky grubber kick showcasing a skill not yet in Sam Cane’s arsenal. 8/10

Jerome Kaino - Did all the tough stuff required in his role, and backed up his bruising charges with some graceful open play runs, one particularly memorable burst late in the first half. Went off early in the second half with what looked to be a serious shoulder injury, it’s not very often you see the big guy wincing like that. 7.5/10

Sam Whitelock - Solid finish from the epic Coles pass for his try, after filling in at loose forward due to injuries. Becoming NZ’s own Victor Matfield with the way he effortlessly disrupts opposition lineout ball. 7/10

Brodie Retallick - The BFG just reaffirming that he’s the best lock in the game. Hard hitting tackles and has no regard for his body with the way he hurls himself into the rucks. So much so he lost a contact lens in the process. Nice hands allowing Aaron Smith to provide for Ben Smith to score. Always a fearsome presence near the ball. 8/10

Owen Franks - Toiled away in the rough and tumble he loves to great effect as usual. Didn’t get his mitts on the ball to score that elusive try so now owns the record outright. Not that it will bother him in the slightest. Good on ya mate. 7.5/10

Dane Coles - Superb. Three try assists, each more spectacular than the last. We finally got an answer to the question “what can’t he do?” - chip and chase. But I’d bet a fiver thats not the last we’ve seen of him dropping the ball to his toes. 9/10

Joe Moody - Mad Eye competed well in the scrum contest which swayed the All Blacks way towards the latter stages. Rarely featured around the paddock but thats how he likes to operate. Subbed early in the second half. 7/10