‘Gutsy’ All Blacks beat Springboks in Rugby Championship to extend Eden Park record

AUCKLAND – New Zealand scored two early tries and kept an error-prone South Africa at bay to win a “gutsy” arm-wrestle 24-17 on Sept 6 and stay top of the Rugby Championship.

All Blacks back-rower Ardie Savea won a decisive turnover in the dying minutes of his 100th Test to halt a late attack and ensure New Zealand extended their unbeaten streak in Auckland to 51 matches.

Slippery conditions meant the contest between the world’s two top-ranked sides never shone as a spectacle, but there was no shortage of physicality. “It was a gutsy performance. I’m just proud of the boys’ efforts, we knew the Springboks were going to come here and give it to us,” said Savea.

The reigning four-time world champions were desperate to end New Zealand’s remarkable record at Eden Park, where the hosts have not lost since 1994.

However, the visitors paid a high price for a slew of handling errors in a match they dominated in terms of territory and possession, scoring two tries to the home side’s three.

South Africa captain Jesse Kriel said: “We obviously weren’t up to scratch tonight, way too many handling errors and things that just weren’t up to standard for us.

“But full credit to New Zealand, I thought they were really good and was a special way to celebrate an awesome player for them in Ardie.”

New Zealand halted a four-match run of losses to South Africa as well as retaining their No. 1 world ranking.

They also stayed top of the Rugby Championship standings on 10 points after three rounds, ahead of Australia by a bonus point, while the Springboks and Pumas both have five points.

The All Blacks opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the second minute when Emoni Narawa scored. They doubled their lead to 14-0 via fullback Will Jordan.

Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard claimed a penalty goal to be 14-3 down at the interval.

Replacement Damian McKenzie extended New Zealand’s lead by three points but the home team’s defence finally cracked in the 62nd minute when hooker Malcolm Marx powered over.

Springboks forward Kwagga Smith was shown a yellow card for a deliberate penalty and New Zealand capitalised on their one-man advantage, sending replacement back Quinn Tupaea across.

The visitors kept the contest alive with six minutes left when replacement scrum-half Cobus Reinach scored.

Savea’s ruck turnover deep on defence elicited a roar from the crowd of 48,000 and helped the All Blacks cling on to victory.

“I just had to stand up for the brothers,” added Savea.

“For me, I just try to anticipate things and do what the team needs me to do. It’s as simple as that.”

The teams meet a second time, in Wellington on Sept 13.

Earlier in the day, Angus Bell scored the winning try six minutes after the final hooter as Australia overturned a 14-point half-time deficit to beat Argentina 28-24.

The Pumas led 21-7 at the break, after stunning their hosts with tries from Bautista Delguy and Mateo Carreras, along with three penalties from Santi Carreras.

The Wallabies hit back to level the score with a brace of tries from centre Joseph Suaalii, but Pumas fullback Juan Cruz Mallia edged the visitors ahead with a penalty a minute from time.

Australia turned down three chances to even up the score again from the kicking tee and got their reward when replacement prop Bell wrestled his way over the line from close range to give his team a third win in their last four tests.

“Full credit to the team, we could have gone for goal there and taken the draw,” said Wallabies captain Harry Wilson. “It was a tough game, but everyone believed that we could finish the job. And if boys want to win a game, we may as well back them.

“Very proud of the boys, weren’t at our best today, but to find a way to get a win against such a high-quality opposition is a real credit to them.” AFP, REUTERS