Coach Dave Rennie praised the character of his side as New Zealand pulled away in the closing stages to defeat South Africa’s Stormers 38-21 in Cape Town, but has a concern over a shoulder injury to centre Billy Proctor.
The All Blacks made a winning start to their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour that will see them face four South African franchise teams and play four tests against the Springboks, the first time they have toured their great rivals in 30 years.
But they were given a scare by a depleted Stormers side, who held the tourists at 14-14 in the 65th minute, but ran out of gas in the closing stages.
“It was a good introduction for us to South African rugby,” Rennie told reporters.
“We started very well and it looked like which side had the ball got rewarded by the referee.
“When we had the ball we were really dangerous. We knew they would bring line speed (in defence). We just weren’t quite clinical enough to expose them.
“They came at us with their set-piece and we need to be better in those areas. We expected a lot of aerial attacks and we probably did not handle that as well as we could have.”
Rennie confirmed an injury problem for Proctor, who looked uncomfortable as he left the field.
“It looks like a shoulder injury. There are some other guys with bumps and bruises too. We will have to see.”
The All Blacks perform the Haka.
Ron Gaunt/www.photosport.nz
Rennie said the character of his side shone in the closing stages and it was a major factor in their victory.
“Just a heap of character, we are very well conditioned. I felt if we could hold onto the ball, we would hurt them,” Rennie said.
“Both sides were pretty competitive post-tackle. We will have sides who try to slow our ball down. We carried and cleaned well (at the ruck). What we knew was we had to be accurate. If we could do that we would find space.
“We have got some tough footie into them (the players) tonight and they will be better for that. Tours like this will test our depth and heading into a World Cup next year and we will know better what we have.”
Try-scorers
Samisoni Taukei’aho, Simon Parker, Rieko Ioane, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby and Asafo Aumua were the tourists’ try scorers with Beauden Barrett kicking over three conversions and Josh Jacomb one.
The Stormers’ points came from loose forward Deon Fourie, who turns 40 next month, and winger Seabelo Senatla, plus a conversion from 20-year-old debutant flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed.
They were also awarded a penalty try two minutes from the end when Warrick Gelant was tackled high by Moorby as he was going for the line.
“It was a remarkable effort and we did a great occasion justice. Obviously they are a quality team and made it tough for us to hold on,” said Stormers coach John Dobson.