Bump and grind test a letdown for fans

By WYNNE GRAY

The Collision at Carisbrook certainly defied expectations: there was no rough stuff, no chance of any verbal stoush, no aftermatch pyrotechnics - and little crowd euphoria.

The All Blacks and Springboks butted bodies and avoided risky strategies in conditions that were the best Dunedin could offer in the middle of winter but restricted expressive rugby.

The rugged conflict was a different examination of the All Blacks and one that forced them to the wire to defend their Tri-Nations crown.

Highlights included the allround game of lock Ali Williams, Carlos Spencer's perfect goalkicking - which clinched the victory - and the team discipline.

But the general impression was of a dogged test, a grind, a slog - an international where the desperate Springboks used the conditions and tactics to restrict the margin of defeat.

Curiously, had their regular sharpshooter Louis Koen been on target, the South Africans would have stolen an unlikely victory.

Koen goaled just two from five kicks and missed with three dropped-goal attempts.

It was a test played at close quarters, with some marvellous defence by uncompromising athletes.

But after the All Blacks' twin 50-point thrashings of the Springboks and Wallabies to open their Tri-Nations campaign, the 33,000 Carisbrook crowd hoped for more.

They dared to think the All Blacks would score more than one try and it had looked promising after six minutes when Joe Rokocoko forced a beautifully weighted grubber from Aaron Mauger.

But there was only one more try - a beauty - and it was scored by a Springbok.

It rivalled the magnificent try scored by former All Black skipper Ian Kirkpatrick against the 1971 Lions and may be the best test try scored by a prop.

Richard Bands, 120kg of prime South African beef, roared past Kees Meeuws, elbow-jolted Spencer out of the way and powered over the line after a 48m surge.

That inspirational response buoyed the Boks and they went to the break only 11-13 adrift.

They did not score in the second spell but they limited the All Blacks to two Spencer penalties - slim pickings from the Tri-Nations champions.

That tepid last half on a chilly evening was too much for some fans.

Two bored males, their gender barely distinguishable because of the cold, chose to streak after the match - drawing the loudest cheer of the evening. They were roared on until dealt to by more secure tackles from the security guards.

All Blacks coach John Mitchell acknowledged that scheduling night games in New Zealand in midwinter did not enhance the quality of rugby, but it was a commercial decision.

Skipper Reuben Thorne said his team were thrilled to retain the Tri-Nations and would celebrate, but had their eyes on greater prizes ahead.

The next target rolls round this Saturday, when the All Blacks need to beat the Wallabies to claim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 1998.

Mitchell suggested the slog at Carisbrook would be beneficial for the rest of the season. His team had been under pressure against a very physical Bok team but had responded efficiently.

The rearranged All Black pack held up well in the set pieces but battled on the fringes after several phases where the Springbok defenders really attacked the ball-carriers.

The All Blacks conceded four lineout throws and a couple of scrums buckled, but they also bent the Boks badly in several scrums.

Both teams kicked often - the strength of the breeze and the slippery ball meant it was a better option than running it through the backline.

The extra care and time players needed to be sure of their catching and passing mitigated against wide-ranging attacks and helped the defenders.

That assisted South Africa and they complemented that with huge commitment.