South Africa 2009 Tri Nations Victors

The All Black game plan - defeat South Africa in Saturday's game and then go on to defeat Australia next weekend. That would secure them as Tri Nations champions. Of course, history was not recorded as such.

Playing in All Black country would have been pressure enough to win however the All Black performance in the first half was rather shoddy. They couldn't get a single line out right. There error rate was high. However there performance in the 2nd half was a lot more like the Black's were reputed for. Attempts to keep the ball alive, explosive dashes while running the ball were beautiful to watch.

Despite Carter putting on the first points on the score board via a penalty it wasn't long before the Sprngboks fought back with the ominous boot of Steyn (Francois Steyn that is! Mr M Steyn was called in for the closer kicks - 'you take the shorter ones mate'). He managed to lob two penlaty kicks from beyond the half way mark! Amazing strength. This meant the Black's couldn't or shouldn't concede penalties outside there half.

Jean de Villiers intercepted a Black's pass to score the first goal. Du Preez's form was amazing throughout the game as it has been the entire tournament. He managed to score the 2nd Bok try.

Dan Carter, being in impeccable form, led the All Black fight forward. A quick dash and breakthrough by Toeava set up a beautiful try for Sivivatu. Carter setup McCaw for another try by kicking the ball towards the oposite end of the field into the unguarded arms of McCaw who was by the try line and made no mistake in planting the try. This reminded me of the days when Carlos Spenser used to do the same extremly successfully. Unfortunately with the clock against them, the 2nd attempt by Carter to nail another try in a similar manner saw hiw overkick the ball out of the playing field thereby ending the game that had run into extra time.

This is the first time the Blacks have been defeated by the Boks 3 games in a row since 1949! An incredile entertaining game is consolation for All Black supporters however I doubt the Black fans would be as forigiving if they conceded to the Wallabies next weekend.


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