All Blacks snatch victory over South Africa

The 2005 Tri-Nations series will be decided in Auckland next Saturday night after New Zealand scored a nail-biting 31-27 victory over South Africa in Dunedin tonight.

In a dramatic finish, the Springboks were merely minutes away from an historic victory at Carisbrook and consecutive Tri-Nations titles until hooker Keven Mealamu dived over the line for the decisive try. Now New Zealand can claim the Tri-Nations trophy if they overcome a patchwork Wallabies side in the final match of the series.

The All Blacks score four tries to the Springboks three with flying winger Joe Rokocoko managing his second two-try haul of the series. South Africa again pounced on any mistake made by its opposition but their highly publicised defence could not nullify New Zealand in the final minutes.

Springbok fullback Percy Montgomery put his side on the scoreboard in the first minute of the match, kicking a penalty goal stemming from a ruck infringement 30 metres out from the All Blacks line.

But Rokocoko electrified the crowd five minutes later when he flew for a clearing kick and stormed down the left touchline, sliding backwards over the try line and just grounding the ball over his shoulder. A fantastic touchline conversion from saw the All Blacks take a 7-3 lead.

Bryan Habana struck back almost immediately as he swooped on a loose ball from the base of the New Zealand ruck to score his third try of the series. The successful conversion gave South Africa the lead at 10-7.

The All Blacks then clicked into gear with two quick tries. After Percy Montgomery failed to secure a high ball, Mealamu gained possession and his darting run put the Springbok defence on the back foot. Mealamu’s final pass found Leon MacDonald, wearing the number 10 jumper in the absence of regular fly half Daniel Carter, and he charged clear to score under the posts and reclaim the lead at 14-10.

MacDonald played a hand in the next try, his run resulting in Rokocoko collecting from the base of the ruck and sidestepping past numerous defenders to chalk up his second try of the night.

South Africa reduced the margin to 21-17 just before the break when half Ricky Januarie charged down MacDonald’s attempted clearing kick from a scrum near the All Blacks line, diving on the loose ball as it tumbled over the line.

After a high scoring opening half, the two sides traded penalty goals until Jaque Fourie put the Springboks in front 27-24 with fifteen minutes to play, a loose pass from Jerry Collins handing Fourie the opportunity to crash over near the posts.

The Springboks defended grimly as they tried to hold onto their slender lead but with time running out, the New Zealand forwards placed extreme pressure on the Springboks, a driving maul splitting them open and Mealamu finding the gap to win the match for the All Blacks.

NEW ZEALAND	31
Tries: Joe Rokocoko 2, Leon MacDonald, Keven Mealamu. Conversions: Leon MacDonald 3, Luke McAlister. Penalties: Leon MacDonald.
SOUTH AFRICA	27
Tries: Bryan Habana, Enrico Januarie, Jacque Fourie. Conversions: Percy Montgomery 3. Penalties: Percy Montgomery 2.
@ Carisbrook, Dunedin.   Referee: Joël Jutge (France)   Crowd: 32,000 Weather: Clear, Night.   Surface: Dry.   Half Time: New Zealand 21-17.