The Stats Don't Lie: All Blacks v South Africa

Ali Williams stole one lineout against South Africa but his workrate at rucktime was poor for a lock. Photo / Getty Images

Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers from the All Blacks' loss to South Africa where Ali Williams seemed to have a phobia for rucks in the opening 40.

Despite making 11 linebreaks in this test match the All Blacks were only able to finish off once for their sole try just before halftime.

The All Blacks conceded 10 penalties in the game, with seven at the breakdown, two at the scrum and one for offside play. The Springboks conceded seven, with all but one coming at the breakdown.

Jerome Kaino was top ball carrier for the All Blacks this week, making seven runs for a total of 60 metres gained. Next best were Adam Thomson (six for 50 metres) and Liam Messam (six for 30 metres).

In the absence of Richie McCaw it was Sam Whitelock who led the way at the breakdown, being in the first three to arrive to secure ruck ball 34 times. John Afoa was the next best with his workrate seeing him arrive in the first three on 23 occasions.

Top tackler for the All Blacks was Adam Thomson with 16 tackles and two assists. Sonny Bill Williams came in second with 11 tackles and two assists.

Isaia Toeava and Richard Kahui made the most linebreaks with three each, with Toeava making a total of 152 metres gained. Israel Dagg made two linebreaks for a total of 125 metres gained.

Sonny Bill Williams was top off-loader in the tackle, with a total of four.

THE GOOD

Can't go past Israel Dagg who made two sizzling linebreaks that should have resulted in tries (Cowan's "try" being disallowed by the TMO due to a forward pass), and managed to last the full 80 minutes in only his second game back from a serious injury sustained at the beginning of May.

The lineout functioned well this week, with just one throw lost from 15. Ali Williams stole one back off the Springboks in the second half.

Richard Kahui's try was the result of a neatly worked set piece move from a lineout, and he ran 22 metres and busted two tackles to score.

The All Blacks' defence was sound enough to keep South Africa from crossing their line, despite missing 18 tackles on the day.

THE BAD

It took six minutes of this game before Ali Williams hit his first ruck, and he was immediately penalised for going off his feet resulting in the first three points to the Boks. He didn't hit another ruck until the 18 minute mark. Overall he had the least ruck arrivals of any of the starting pack, and in the first half was even eclipsed by Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Hosea Gear for workrate at the breakdown.

With a total of 29 turnovers the All Blacks did themselves no favours. Over half the turnovers were handling errors with eight knock-ons, four passes going directly to the opposition, one spilled ball, and four forward passes.

The breakdown was another area of concern, with six turnovers at the tackle and two at the ruck. In contrast the All Blacks only managed to win three ruck turnovers off the Springboks.

Adam Thomson conceded four of the All Blacks' ten penalties.

Colin Slade missed both his kicks for goal, leaving the All Blacks with just five points on the board.

FOR THE RECORD

The All Blacks have now lost six of the 10 test matches they have played in South Africa under coach Graham Henry.

Morne Steyn notched up 100 points against the All Blacks with his third penalty goal of the test.

The All Blacks managed to maintain their record of having scored at least one try in each of their last 87 internationals, a feat that stretches back to August 15th, 2004.

For more statistics go to haka.co.nz

- HERALD ONLINE