Expansive mistakes won't deter All Blacks

All Blacks centre Conrad Smith believes an attacking approach is the best way to play the Springboks. Photo / Getty Images

DURBAN - Another win for pragmatic over enigmatic rugby, but the All Blacks are set to persist with width in the Tri-Nations rematch against South Africa in Durban on Sunday morning (NZT).

The shift from night rugby in New Zealand prompted a more attacking approach in Bloemfontein but fundamental mistakes and a coordinated Springboks defensive line made penetration rare.

After flirting awkwardly with an attacking approach in his first season in charge in 2008, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is now seemingly convinced that the dour but successful World Cup model of the year before is the way to play.

Wingers Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen are primarily kick-chasers and fullback Francois Steyn is increasingly a long-range punter/dropped goal specialist because the ball is rarely sent beyond the hard running of numbers 12 and 13.

The All Blacks' belief that expansive play would triumph in 2007 proved ill-judged yet it seems they won't ease their foot off the pedal.

Centre Conrad Smith insisted it was the right path to follow, sensing cracks were appearing during New Zealand's best spell at Bloemfontein - from minutes 40-70.

"When we had the ball there were good opportunities, but we just didn't convert them," Smith said.

"I don't think we had hardly any ball in that first half and that was our fault.

"I just felt we wearing them down and some of what we were doing was really good and we got ourselves into the game a lot more. We were starting to control things a bit better."

The approach has an inherent potential to play into South Africa's hands. Spilled possession is fodder for the poachers in green, with both their tries emanating from sloppy New Zealand skills.

"It's just our errors that are keeping them in the game and you can't do that," Smith said.

"They are a clinical side. If you let yourself down with errors they will camp in your territory and they will keep battering away and kick goals.

"I don't think they took too many risks with their play, they play a simple game."

It is unlikely there will be any change to the New Zealand outside back division when the team is named by coach Graham Henry on Wednesday morning (NZT).

However, Brendon Leonard is unlikely to be retained at halfback after a rushed performance that reflected his lack of recent top rugby.

Jimmy Cowan should be restored at No 9 while there could be another change at the scrum base, with veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo not unearthing the authority of old against either the Wallabies or Springboks since returning from his two-month break.

So'oialo may be saved if Kieran Read is now considered one of the specialist reserve bench closers, alongside halfback Piri Weepu and hooker Keven Mealamu.

Yet assistant coach Steve Hansen suggested multiple changes are likely.

Battered bodies will be surveyed in coming days because a third successive tough test looming.

Prop Neemia Tialata is in doubt with a knee strain but even if passed fit, he may well make way for surprise package of 2009 Owen Franks, who has impressed in all three reserve bench appearances, including the second 40 minutes against the Springboks.

Asked for his thoughts on the scrum battle at Bloemfontein, Hansen's comments were telling: "Our scrum came right in the second half."

Mealamu is again a contender to replace the scratchy throwing of Andrew Hore at hooker.

Locks Brad Thorn and Isaac Ross have started all five tests this year, along with fullback Mils Muliaina and second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu, but it's hard to see where coach Graham Henry can turn in any of those positions.

De Villiers has nothing like the same headaches. No more than one change is anticipated, with the rank goalkicking of first five-eighth Ruan Pienaar potentially opening the door for prolific pointscorer Morne Steyn.

However, there is a feeling that De Villiers wants Pienaar running the Springboks' cutter at the 2011 World Cup and that Morne Steyn isn't athletic enough to score the sort of try Pienaar sneaked in Bloemfontein.

Possible starting teams:

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

South Africa: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.

- NZPA