Rugby: New Zealand go top of Tri-Nations

New Zealand have gone to the top of the Tri-Nations points table after a 26-15 win over South Africa today.

The introduction of Leon MacDonald, Byron Kelleher and Chris Jack to the side contributed a great deal to today’s result with their enthusiasm and all-round play.

Within five minutes of the start of the match Jonah Lomu was given a sniff of the opening try after Jack, Ron Cribb and Troy Flavell and contributed to a sweeping movement, but Lomu was unable to hold the pass from Cribb.

However, the home side did not have to wait long to register their first points when Kelleher was involved in a movement three times and his inside pass, from a ruck on the South African try line, found Pita Alatini bustling over the line.

With the All Blacks showing a better tactical awareness than they did a fortnight ago against Australia, they were enjoying the bulk of possession and field position.

Deprived of field position South Africa’s chances came from the boot of Braam van Straaten and he proved reliable slotting his first two kicks to keep his side in touch.

Andrew Mehrtens was also in good touch with the two trading points throughout the first half.

Heavy rain at half time made the conditions treacherous for the start of the second half but Mehrtens gave New Zealand the advantage with two quick penalty goals soon after the restart.

Having stretched their half time lead of 13-9 to 19-9 New Zealand established their dominance on the match with their second try, this time in controversial circumstances.

A decision by Mehrtens to run through a gap, instead of shifting the ball wide, saw him slice open the defence and MacDonald on his outside was set to score the try but hooker Lukas van Biljon tackled the fullback before the pass could be made. Referee Peter Marshall had no hesitation in awarding the penalty try.

With New Zealand establishing a 17-point advantage South Africa were in danger of losing touch on the scoreboard, but van Straaten kicked two penalty goals to bring his side back within touch.

South Africa saved their best play until the final minutes of the match when they more than doubled the time they spent inside the New Zealand 22.

A penalty gave South Africa the chance to score the needed try but when the ball went to the short side, the pass was just in front of Butch James and he was unable to hold the ball.

Time was against South Africa and they were unable to create another try scoring chance before the final whistle. New Zealand now turn their sights to next week in Sydney against Australia, with the winner taking the Tri-Nations title.

New Zealand 26

Pita Alatini, Penalty try tries; Andrew Mehrtens 2 conversions, 4 penalties

South Africa 15

Braam van Straaten 5 penalties