KEY POINTS:
Many will look at this test as an average match with little to be encouraged by.
Certainly, several esteemed ex-international players made such comments after the test at Newlands. But, for me, it was a great All Blacks' test victory under difficult conditions. They had played well against Australia and I held fears they would struggle to again lift to the same intensity.
My doubts were proved incorrect.
Again Richie McCaw showed the growing leadership and individual talent which must place him as one of the All Black greats. His talent has never been denied but his leadership has been questioned. Now, he not only leads the troops with courage and astute tactics but has learnt how to deal with the referee and the opposing captain.
Referee Matt Goddard had to bow to McCaw's knowledge of the rules more than once. On this matter the Boks will have been unhappy with Goddard's display. He also punished the hosts at the breakdown with several tough calls.
The Springbok captain Victor Matfield didn't handle the pressure which McCaw now thrives upon.
Goddard had an average game and will, hopefully, be better next time out.
This All Black victory was achieved with courage, cunning and calm under fire. The statistics show they missed 13 tackles, but their line was never breached and McCaw and co won 14 turnovers at the breakdown. Exceptional stuff. Carter had problems with goal kicking early on which cost 11 points. Lesser players might have wilted and gone into their shell, but Carter's mentality is such that he compensates with other parts of his game.
As the game progressed he became more dominate - culminating in an outstanding individual try. He got the team around the park - something the flighty Springboks never managed to do consistently.
On the kicking there were comments about the new-style balls used. There may be some fact in this, but I suspect the swirling wind and lack of accuracy under pressure would have been bigger factors.
The All Black scrum was not at its best and credit must go to the Boks for improvement in this area.
The All Black lineout work was clever and managed to negate the power of the Boks. The planned throws to McCaw at the tail were clever and rewarded with excellent ball for the backs over the gain line.
There were mistakes and some lack of judgment from the All Blacks, meaning this test was still in the balance with 20 minutes to go. Yet this team showed the composure to win while the Boks cracked.
Another consistent result in a tough environment should be looked at as a great positive, rather than picking over the few errors. Let's sit back and leave that to the Boks and the Wallabies and say a job well done.
