All Blacks step toward regaining cup as Springboks consider Six Nations move

NEW ZEALAND took a step towards regaining the Bledisloe Cup when they beat Australia 12-6 in a scrappy Tri-nations match on Saturday.

In the first encounter between the teams without a try since 1991 flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens kicked four penalties to the Wallabies's two from Matthew Burke.

Both sides opted for old fashioned 10 man rugby with flyhalves Mehrtens and Stephen Larkham trading kicks.

Australia won both tests between the sides in last season's Tri-nations, and All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne said the win was more important than the performance.

"It was a very satisfying win," he said. "It was a real test match out there. It wasn't pretty, but it was a win built on the character shown by the guys."

Australia spent the final 10 minutes trying to break down the All Blacks defence but could find no way through, despite New Zealand down to 14 men after outside centre Mark Robinson was sin binned for a tackle on Jeremy Paul.

"We had our chances in the last few minutes, but we didn't execute them well and made far too many errors," said Wallabies skipper George Gregan.

"Both teams had to play in the conditions and they played better and kept us out. It is disappointing, but as I said, we had our chances."

Mehrtens kicked penalties in the fourth and 33rd minutes with Burke cutting the deficit to three points when he kicked a penalty just before the break for his 150th point against New Zealand.

The All Blacks extended their lead to 9-3 with another Mehrtens penalty in the 49th minute before Burke made it 9-6 five minutes later.

After, Mehrtens restored the six-point margin although Burke missed another penalty from long range.

Australia were more adventurous in their backline play, but they were hampered by poor handling, while New Zealand tackled like demons as the minutes ticked away.

The All Blacks's best chance of a try came in the 73rd minute when they had a three man overlap, but Mark Hammett threw a poor pass that fell behind Aaron Mauger.

"It was pretty tough (after Robinson was sin binned), but the boys came through for him," said a relieved All Blacks assistant coach Robbie Deans.

Meanwhile, South African officials may switch their international calendar to play in Europe. South Africa's teams currently compete in the southern hemisphere's Sanzar group, with the Springboks playing the Tri-Nations and club sides in the Super 12. A switch to Europe would see South Africa featuring in what is currently the Six Nations and the country's clubs lining up in the Heineken Cup.

No move can be made before the current Sanzar deal runs out in 2005 but Rian Oberholzer, managing director of South African Rugby, admits it is a possibility.

He told the Sunday Times: ''Although at this point it is only talk, we feel we cannot have all our eggs in one basket.

''We do not intend to walk away but we must minimise our risk.''

If South Africa were admitted to the northern hemisphere competition the benefits would give the Six Nations a huge commercial shot in the arm.

The advantages for South Africa would also be numerous thanks to larger European TV and corporate markets, the lesser amount of travelling and a closer time zone.

The idea is supported by Piet Heymans, chief executive of the South African players association, who said: ''It is a very attractive option.

''In terms of pure logistics, it would be best and being paid in pounds would be attractive. ''The travel zaps our energy and affects our performance.

''Also a number of guys have said the Tri-Nations has become a bit mundane, playing the same people and format year in year out.''