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DURBAN - New Zealand's fitness and South Africa's fatigue in the last quarter of their Tri-Nations match on Sunday (NZ time) were important factors in the All Blacks' 26-21 win, their coaches said.
Wing Joe Rokocoko's try eight minutes from time earned the All Blacks the lead for the first time in the match and led to the New Zealanders inflicting South Africa's first loss in four home matches this season.
"The All Blacks haven't played a test match of that intensity for as long as I can remember, probably since last year's Tri-Nations," New Zealand coach Graham Henry told a news conference after the game in Durban.
"We played it pretty well in the last 20 minutes, which was a sign of the pride in the group and showed a lot of character.
"Conditioning helped us, these guys have put a lot of work in physically."
New Zealand flank and captain Richie McCaw said his team had to weather a storm before they could think of winning.
"The Boks started off with huge physical presence and really got stuck in, but we realised we had to hang in there because our chances would come," said McCaw.
"We realised that if we could up the tempo they might run out of legs and we would get our opportunities."
South African coach Jake White agreed with the New Zealanders and said an intense match schedule had taken its toll on his side.
"It's a disappointment for us," White said. "We played well in the first half, and we scored just before halftime which I thought could have turned the momentum in our favour.
"But the All Blacks never gave up, and there was no doubt that when they upped the ante in the last 20 minutes we were found wanting.
"Anyone watching that game could see that we have played for seven weeks in succession."
- REUTERS
