All Blacks strike first Tri-Nations blow

South Africa's Zane Kirchner clashes with All Black Joe Rokocoko. Photo / NZPA

The All Blacks struck the first blow in this year's Tri-Nations rugby tournament with a 32-12 victory over defending champions South Africa in Auckland tonight.

New Zealand had been beaten in all three tests against the Springboks last year and they ended that streak by scoring four tries to none after a dominant performance.

Second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu grabbed one of the touchdowns and he and fullback Mils Muliaina conclusively answered with questions over their test match fitness after their recent return from injury.

Both looked dangerous with ball in hand, while hooker Keven Mealamu worked tirelessly in his 75th test as the New Zealand pack outmuscled their counterparts.

The All Blacks scrum was secure, while their lineout overturned the recent dominance that the Springboks had established over them.

They won their own ball and attacked the South African throw, three of which they stole.

The Springboks tended to play for field position and showed their intentions to get points any way they could with first five-eighth Morne Steyn twice failing with dropped goal attempts, the first as early as the fifth minute.

After the sides traded penalties, the Springboks found themselves down to 14 players when lock Bakkies Botha was sinbinned for a professional foul.

Botha was earlier involved in an incident in which he retaliated at being held back by Jimmy Cowan by apparently head-butting the halfback.

In Botha's absence the All Blacks scored an expansive try that began with winger Joe Rokocoko defusing one of several bombs the South Africans put up during the match.

He shifted the ball to Muliaina, whose huge break was carried on by skipper Richie McCaw before centre Conrad Smith dotted down in the corner.

Carter landed the sideline conversion and then a penalty before the All Blacks went further ahead.

Nonu featured in a concerted attack with a kick and regather, before he was on hand to finish the move by powering over in the corner.

Another Carter sideline conversion helped New Zealand to a 20-3 halftime lead.

The Springboks began the second half with plenty of intent, dominating the early possession and territory.

Two Steyn penalties reduced the margin, but slowly the All Blacks worked their way back in the game.

Their greater willingness to move the ball wide bore fruit with a third try when No 8 Kieran Read got reward for a strong performance by powering his way over. Carter again added the extras, but a fourth Steyn penalty made it 27-12.

The All Blacks went in search of a bonus-point fourth try and prop Tony Woodcock obliged in the dying stages by finishing off a driving maul.

McCaw was thrilled with his team's performance, saying they played with intensity from the outset.

"I was proud with how the guys made really good decisions, we built the pressure and took our chances," McCaw told Sky Sport.

The New Zealand set piece was also a feature, something McCaw said came down to hard work.

"It is a simple thing that you can make complicated. We wanted to make sure we kept it simple with everyone doing their little jobs."

His South African opposite John Smit said the speed at which the All Blacks played the game took its toll.

"They played a really quick game tonight which is similar to how they have played for a long time.

"But if you tackle all night you cannot expect to win it.

"In the past we were able to put more pressure on them defensively, tonight we let them slip through."

The teams meet next in Wellington next Saturday.

- NZPA