By Roger Childs
These two teams have thrown everything at each other. –Commentator Jeff Wilson at half time in the third test
Another close game
86,000 witnessed Sunday’s battle between the world’s two best rugby teams. The All Blacks had the better of the first half until the last 10 minutes, and started strongly. Captain Ardie Savea scored two tries early on, but unfortunately suffered a shoulder injury late in the half and had to be replaced. The Boks’ fullback Cheslin Kolbe scored the Springboks first try to make the score 5-12 and then they drew even when the Georgian referee awarded a penalty try in the 37th minute.
First half leadership
In the second half the Springboks came out firing and a try to centre Jesse Kriel, then one to legendary hooker Malcolm Marx in the 65th minute took them out to a 26-14 lead. A penalty 4 minutes layer extended their advantage to 12 points and it was only a try on the stroke of 80 minutes by reserve All Black hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho that closed the gap to make the final score 29-24.
Ardie Savea was dynamic in the first twenty minutes and the visitors’ forwards had the better of the relentless physicality until the last 10 minutes of the half. The All Blacks won more turnovers, made more breaks and exhibited some excellent attacking in the open with quick, accurate passing in the backline and crisp inter-passing between forwards and backs. Coach Rennie’s changes in the run-on team were working well.
New hooker Asafo Aumua threw well into the lineout, tackled strongly and always made ground with ball in hand. Substitute flanker Peter Lakai was active in the loose and passed and tackled impressively.
Halfback Cam Roigard was always dangerous, and set the backline moving swiftly and Jordie Barrett regularly got across the gain line and was his usual reliable self with his effective tackling. Going into the sheds at half time the visitors were a little unlucky not to be ahead on the scoreboard.
For the Boks Marx has been impressive, captain Siya Kolesi led by example and in the backs center Ethan Hooker was everywhere starring with strong defence, attacking enterprise and skill in setting up his outsides.S
Boks too strong in the second forty
Urged on by over 80,000 fans the home team came out firing after half time but it was actually the ABs who scored first. After an excellent Carter break, Jordan scored his fourth try of the series. The visitors were definitely missing the dynamic leadership of Savea in the second half. The Boks dominated the scrums throughout and won a number of penalties from the visitors collapsing the front row.
Experienced centre Jesse Kriel brushed off a weak Carter tackle and scored a try after a strong 40 metre run to the line in the 57th minute and then the clincher was a try under the posts by Marx after a 30 metre lineout drive.
It was four tries apiece, but the Springboks were better on the day especially in the forwards in the second half, and Savea’s leadership was sorely missed by the visitors after he went off.
Next week the two teams meet in Baltimore USA and Dave Rennie’s All Blacks will be desperate to square the series.