All Blacks aim to muscle up in Durban

All Black flanker Jerome Kaino said his side was outmuscled by the Springboks. Photo / Getty Images

BLOEMFONTEIN - The All Blacks' two pack enforcers agree the forwards should have done more at the coalface to prevent the Springboks clamping control of the Tri-Nations test yesterday.

While much focus has been on a scatter gun New Zealand lineout in the wake of their 28-19 defeat, flanker Jerome Kaino reckons his side came second in the collision battle while lock Brad Thorn believes South Africa shouldn't be held up as the most physical team in world rugby.

The All Blacks will face an uphill struggle in the rematch at Durban this weekend if their opponents' pack, built around man-mountain locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, get dominance like they had throughout the first half yesterday.

Big-hitting flanker Kaino didn't pause when asked who could claim muscular bragging rights.

"Personally I think they got one up on us," Kaino said.

"We really put a lot of focus on attacking their drive and didn't really get in there. The big work-on for us is the lineout and the scrum and hopefully next week in Durban we can lay a better platform for our backs to work off."

Veteran lock Thorn surprised with his response when asked how the South African pack compared in physicality to Australia's.

"I thought they (Springboks) were more physical but I was really impressed with the French to be honest. I though they were the most physical games I have played this year," he said.

The All Blacks eclipsed France up front in Wellington last month to square their series 1-1, suggesting the All Blacks are capable of much better against the powerful South African eight.

Thorn, 34, seemed to relish the prospect of a second crack at Botha and company next week.

"They are big guys, they play it hard, the Africans, and it is great. This is what it is all about, it is a test, it is over here and it's great."

Forwards coach Steve Hansen was convinced the difference between the teams yesterday didn't boil down to attitude or a lack of physical presence.

Instead, he wanted improvement in technical areas, which were most deficient in the first half.

"They controlled the rugby ball, they had all the possession, either through our errors or us being penalised," Hansen said.

"That allowed them to control the game. When one team controls the game it looks good."

The All Blacks' turned around a 17-3 deficit early in the second half to trail just 20-16 with quarter of an hour remaining through a clutch of penalties to accurate first five-eighth Stephen Donald and a brilliant solo try by centre Conrad Smith.

The result was sealed by a 72nd minute breakout try to Springboks centre Jaque Fourie from a New Zealand turnover while hot on attack.

Hansen was determined his pack would provide better possession at Durban to an All Blacks backline that looked more threatening than their opposites.

Not surprisingly, Hansen said the lineout was the element in most need of improvement.

"We've got to get a decent platform there so we can have quality ball there. Then we can get a bit of continuity in our game," Hansen said.

"The preparation time will be really valuable."

Thorn believed the All Blacks forwards - where seven uncapped players had been injected already this season due to injury and form issues - simply hadn't had enough time together to hone their set piece work.

"It's different with your (Super 14) franchise because you get together more and just work it, work it and work it. With the lineout you need eight guys - everyone has to be in synch."

Nobody in the All Blacks camp was prepared to criticise Irish referee Alain Rolland, who hammered New Zealand 12-7 in the penalty count. The general consensus was that South African pressure forced the tourists into breakdown misdemeanours.

The team flew today to Durban, where they will train for the first time tomorrow.

Interest will surround the fitness of tighthead prop Neemia Tialata, who is in doubt with a knee strain, while captain Richie McCaw suffered a shoulder blow which shouldn't rule him out of the test.

- NZPA