Joe the star in Carisbrook thriller

Joe Rokocoko flipped over in goal to score a try. Picture / Fotopress

The SAS are right, he who dares does indeed win. The old school might not like it, but this high-tempo rugby being championed by Graham Henry is not only pretty, it wins games. Only just.

For much of the second half last night it looked as if All Black supporters might have to take umbrage with the SAS view after their side looked intent on casually tossing away a victory for the sake of pursuing the gloriously insane.

But All Black coach Graham Henry has a courage and conviction that high-tempo, enterprising rugby played from anywhere will see his side conquer all.

He is possibly right, but there are many New Zealanders who would be much happier if the All Blacks learned the art of spicing their exotic brew of football with a heavy dose of conventionalism.

The All Black spirit of adventure is admirable and befitting a nation of pioneers. But there are times when all that caution to the wind stuff should be left for sea-farers and explorers. It's too hard on the heart watching the ball being flung inside the All Black 22 and tap penalties being preferred to pots at goal.

But Henry and his All Blacks got their win last night because the All Black forwards did all the nasty stuff with snarling aggression and cohesion and the backs had enough skill and adventure to garnish the forwards endeavour with points.

And then, just for good measure, there was Joe Rokocoko.

Cast to the inglorious IRB Sevens circuit earlier in the year on a voyage of discovery, he demonstrated last night that he clearly found himself.

His second try a testament to the hours he has spent in the gym building a set of thighs that can drive him through any opponent, probably even Titanium, too. While his first was confirmation of his finishers instinct to be in the right place at the right time.

But the credit for last nights win, really belongs to a coaching panel that have retained faith in their vision that their side have to be brave enough to look for opportunity in the most unlikely places.

Where Henry has differed from John Mitchell, though, is in his ability to add some psychological steel. When the Boks fought back into the lead late in the game, the All Blacks needed to believe themselves and the game plan.

Those who are uneasy watching All Black teams run from inside their own 22 with no scoreboard ascendancy need to buy into Henry's logic.

He is picking a side crammed full of explosive, skilled athletes and, therefore, wants to get the ball in their hands as much as possible.

If there is space inside their own 22, this side will have a go at exploiting it.

It won't always work and mistakes will be made as they were in the build-up to Bryan Habana's first-half score.

Although in fairness, the home side legitimately questioned referee Joel Jutges assessment that the ball had come out of the All Black ruck that led to a turnover and then the score.

Where the panel have also made massive inroads towards their stated goal of building a squad of 30 genuine test players.

Piri Weepu, whispered about as a disaster waiting to happen when he made the end of season tour last year, was so commanding and mature in his performance, that Byron Kelleher might be wondering if he has lost his long-awaited grip on the number nine jersey.

The decision to start with Leon MacDonald at 10 also turned out to be the right one.

MacDonald's ability to stay on his feet and wait for the cavalry was invaluable in the early exchanges last night. He doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Luke McAlister, but Henry judged sometimes vanilla can satisfy as hokey-pokey never can.

New Zealand 31
(J Rokocoko 2, L MacDonald, K Mealamu tries; MacDonald 2 pens, 3 cons; L McAlister con).

South Africa 27
(B Habana, R Januarie tries; P Montgomery 2 pens, 2 cons).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY