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The All Blacks eventually forged a 33-6 win over South Africa in Christchurch tonight but it was another Tri-Nations rugby performance lacking the authority they crave in a patchy season.
There was no lack of endeavour from New Zealand but a torrent of handling mistakes and resolute defence from opponents who had been written off kept the scoreline close until three tries in the final 11 minutes.
As was the case when the teams met in Durban a month ago, the Springboks wilted in the dying stages, allowing replacement backs Brendon Leonard and Nick Evans and first five-eighth Daniel Carter to all cross the tryline.
South Africa's points came from a penalty in each half to first five-eighth Derick Hougaard, the second levelling the scores at 6-6 with 30min remaining.
Both teams were guilty of sloppy execution but the All Blacks, in particular, will be disappointed with an astronomical error count as they tried to keep the ball in hand at all costs in cold conditions.
They were guilty of playing too laterally and attempting some risky counters inside their own territory.
There were 14 penalties and free kicks in the first 30min, prompting Australian referee Stuart Dickinson to regularly address both captains about persistent offending.
The South African lineout was the more proficient and halfback Ruan Pienaar kicked well but they lacked ambition, resorting to forward drives on the rare occasion they went deep into New Zealand territory.
New Zealand's scrum was again strong while second five-eighth Luke McAlister was their most potent attacking weapon although he was one of many guilty of sloppy ball retention.
Carter was a dominant figure, compiling 23 points and producing several long wiper kicks in the first half to keep the Springboks pinned back.
Tonight's result lifts New Zealand level with Australia atop the Tri-Nations standings, with the teams to square off in the competition decider in Auckland next Saturday.
The Bledisloe Cup will also be at stake and the All Blacks will be aware of the need for improvement before they face the in-form Wallabies.
South Africa were consigned to last place, finishing with one win from four matches.
The evening didn't start well for New Zealand when winger Sitiveni Sivivatu was forced out before kickoff with a calf muscle strain.
He was replaced by Joe Rokocoko, who hadn't been named in the squad of 22.
Carter missed an easy penalty attempt in the seventh minute but made amends by landing his other six shots, including a more difficult kick from near the sideline two minutes later.
Pienaar missed a long attempt from inside his own half before Hougaard levelled the scores in the 24th minute.
Carter had the hosts back in front with a penalty soon afterwards and his team missed their best opportunity to score a first-half try when McAlister made a half-break but his cutout pass just missed the grasp of winger Doug Howlett with the tryline begging.
Hougaard missed a chance to again level 5min from halftime when a kickable penalty attempt sailed wide.
However, he was successful soon after the break to lock the scores.
A key moment came in the 52nd minute when Springboks flanker Pedrie Wannenburg was sinbinned for a professional foul. Carter landed two penalties in that time.
The visitors' tryline was eventually crossed when Rokocoko burst into space and delivered a clever behind-the-back pass to Leonard, who gleefully scampered 20m for his first test try.
The tiring Springboks defence was opened up again 4min from fulltime by the fresh legs of Evans.
The final act of the game saw Carter pounce on a loose ball when the tourists failed to defuse a kick and race 30m before slotting a third conversion.
Victory extended the All Blacks' world record test winning streak at home to 25 matches.
New Zealand 33 (Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, Dan Carter tries; Carter 4 pen, 3 con) South Africa 6 (Derick Hougaard 2 pen). Halftime: 6-3.
- NZPA
