All Blacks record 16th consecutive test win while Wounded Wallabies come good

In the last week of the Championship the Wallabies travelled to Rosario to play the Pumas who were fighting to get their first win in the big leagues, meanwhile the already crowned champions New Zealand faced South Africa who were battling for pride at Johannesburg.

Boks fall prey to Blacks comeback

Many expected the Johannesburg test to be monotonous end to an exciting tournament with the All Blacks already having clinched the championship, but like many New Zealand vs South Africa games have been over the years it proved to be a game full of aggression and excitement as the Boks forced the Kiwis to pull out all the stops in the second half and play some magnificent rugby giving fans of both teams their money’s worth. 

The hosts led 16-12 at the half way mark having capitalized on some scrappy play by the Kiwis who conceded many penalties around the break down. As expected the all blacks exploded out the blocks with a try in the 1st minute of the second 40 and ended the game dominant as always with a score of 32-16 picking up a bonus point. 

South African built up their score with a single try by Habana which was converted by Johan Goosen and two penalties each from Goosen and Elton Jantjies. The All Blacks scored their points with four tries from Nonu, Aaron Smith, Conrad Smith and Sam Whitelock while Dan Carter added 12 points including 3 conversions, a penalty and a Drop Goal. 

“When the set pieces work well it is nice that all the hard work during the week gets a reward,” McCaw said. “You have to take your opportunities in these big tests. We were happy to win the Championships in Argentina last week, but we knew the big challenge was to come. It is hugely satisfying to get a win here.” 

“We know that they have a good defensive system, but we just kept chipping away at them,” he said. “We had our opportunities, but we were not able to capitalise. We are improving, but we came up against a quality side in New Zealand.”

Wallabies break Argentine hearts

The Pumas went into their final game of the season licking their lips ready to face a Wallabies team that was struggling with injuries and bad form and claim their first win of the Rugby Championship. The Pumas displayed time and again that they belonged in the big league when they battled hard both at home and away in the previous 5 games. 

The injury laden Aussies displayed good resolve when they took down a gutsy Argentine outfit with a score line of 19-25. Australia led right through the game but had the Pumas nipping at their heels all through the game.  

The Pumas went in to the tunnel trailing 09-15 having missed two penalties late in the first half that would have most likely sent them in to the break on 15 points apiece.

After a first half that was dominated by penalty goals the game opened up in the second half with both sides crossing for a try in the second half.  

Australia scored their points through one Digby Ioane try while Mike Harris added 20 points with the boot including 6 penalties and a conversion. The hosts accumulated their points with one try from Juan Imhoff, a penalty and conversion from Marcello Bosch and 3 Hernandez penalties.  

At the end of the Final week the All Blacks sit pretty on top with a mammoth total of 26 points. South Africa and Australia are tied on 12 points apiece with but the Boks having a better points difference take second place. The Pumas who fought valiantly end with a mark in the wins column but can be satisfied with their first outing taking 12 points.