All Blacks pay dear price for great win; Rugby 365

New Zealand's come-from-behind win over South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday has come at a price.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, in his 140th appearance for his country, produced the match-winning try with a pre-planned line-out move six minutes from time - as they came back from trailing by seven points twice.

The All Black flank won a line-out close to the Springboks' line and brushed off the challenge of scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar to score a try that will go a long way towards New Zealand claiming the Rugby Championship.

However, injuries to key players will have cast a cloud over the team's celebrations.

Coach Steve Hansen confirmed that centre Ma'a Nonu has damaged his rotator cuff  in his shoulder.

"He will have scans done when he gets home [next wee] to determine the extent of the injury," Hansen told a post-match media briefing.

The other big concern is lock Brodie Retallick, who took to the field despite injuring his ankle during warm up.

Hansen said the lock "showed his character" to play through the match with the injury.

He, also, will be assessed upon the team's return to New Zealand.

All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith required three stitches to his head after a collision with Bryan Habana.

It was an absorbing clash between the world's top-ranked team, New Zealand, and second-ranked South Africa - two teams who are among the favourites to win the World Cup in England in -September and October.

"We kept persevering when behind and took our opportunities when they came," said McCaw, who needs one more cap to equal the world record of retired Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll.

"Keeping the Springboks scoreless when we were down to 14 men was crucial and we held our nerve before hitting back.

"Give credit to South Africa, too, as they had us under the pump during the first half. It was a satisfying victory, but we can do a lot better."

By Jan de Koning at Ellis Park
@King365ed
@rugby365com

I knew Nonu had a shoulder injury you could see that in the video of him on the sideline when McCaw scored his try. We will see what the scans show but he could be out for a few weeks. Glad we have good backups.

 JW
Nonu's injury was perhaps to the benefit of the AB's during the match.  He was totally outplayed by De Allende - matter of fact he was just not good enough on the day.  It is not good news for the AB's WC campaign though.   De Allende has now shown up both Nonu and SBW in matches he played against them - and their next match would even be worse for those two players.
All the AB's must hope for in that case is that Meyer has another brain seizure and not  play De Allende at 12 in the WC.
    

 De Allende is still proving himself. He had a good game yesterday with some good running and passing. Hard to bring down in the tackle. Yesterday the Bok mid-field played well for the first three quarters in terms of attack. Early days yet CleverMike.

 South Africa lose their last 3 test matches, no where to be seen in the S15 and Dof Doos Mike's on here telling the fans of the team that just rolled the Springboks in their 'Fortress' what's wrong with their team....delusional

 Mike one can only hope the wee abs stick to Nonu and Conrad as their centers. They were seriously outplayed by the Bok combo.
In fact our starting 15 looked much better than the wee abs. Cant wait to see a full strength Bok 23. Its a looming nightmare for the wee abs!
If you take into account their red zone infringments , the Lood try and the Habana penalty at the end. My prediction re the Bok B side winning by 10 was pretty accrurate.
What will a full strength Bok 23 do!!
I must say I would really like to see Faf De Klerk given a shot if he is uninjured. Also like to see Kriel come on a 6 as an impact player. 
Meyer must continue to give the young guns opportunities. Nonu and Conrad for all their vast experience were outplayed. 

 What's your win ratio from your last 6 tests by the way?

 Your "prediction was pretty accurate" except for the fact that the ABs won by 7 points. Boks fielded the best team available as they will have to in the RWC. ABs experimented & started a rookie at 10 & two other rookies. It was not the ABs best team. Boks were playing at home & still lost the game. 
There were some positives kriel is a discovery & very much needed. De Alende was fine but the boks need guidance on defense so de villers has to play. How will Meyer solve that problem? Probably kriel will be a bench player.

 JW
I think that is a reasonable assumption about De Villiers and Kriel - but it deends entirely if De Villiers decide to make himself available for the Springbok side - he said he will decide himself if his presence in the team would add value to the team.  If not he will opt out.  
It is a fact that De Villiers himself prefer to play at 13 with De Allende at 12 - it was the preferred combination of the Stormers -  so it strengthen your viewpoint on the issue.   

 Move De Allende to the wing where he can combat the 'builtlikeabricksheethouse flyers . Jean & Jessie might very well end up as 'the dream duo' .

 blobbok
The dream center issue could only be in the WC - after that De Villiers is a goner.   However, I think the chances are more that De Villiers will be the no 13 center in the WC - Meyer will not move De Allende from inside center - with Kriel on the bench.  The wings will always be BEE players - but it may mean that Kriel is brought in from the bench on the wing.   That is if De Villiers make himself available for selection at all - he siad he will not if he believes it is to the detriment of the team.
In the long run I see the development of the centers in terms of three players only - De Allende, Kriel and Vorster.   All three are very young and with experience all aspects of their play will improve further.    

 Stuff bee racism. Play the best team. Fans must insist on this.Bob has a possibilty. We need to see how Jean goes on return. 

Our starting B team were significantly better then the wee abs and only injuries and ref leniency re red zone infringments cost us the game. The Lood try was also an issue. The habana penalty an issue.
So If one takes all things into account it was a game where, as Mallet said, the Boks deserved to win.
What will the Mighty Boks be like at full strength. That is the thing giving poor Hansen nightmares.
Poor JW doesnt follow that having many players out injured is a factor. As is travelling to down under and then having to return again.Took away much of home advantage.
Ou Jw still battles to understand the game 

 And the list of post game excuses grows, lol beeno please beat the argies at least then we will get a break from excuses. Some crowing & wee chest beating would make a pleasant change. Don't hurt yourself mind, I know you are out of practice

 Did Lood score Hasbeeno? I've checked several reports and can't find his name amongst the scorers anywhere!Just admit it; Boks get their arses handed to them AGAIN by the Mighty ABs B team at Fortress Ellis Park. You must be gutted what with predicting a Bok resurgence for the last 4 years which hasn't remotely happened! I almost pity you.....Bwahahahahaha!!

 JW dont take sober an*alysis as excuses. Beeno takes everything into account JW and then puts 2 and 2 together to make 4. Y es 4 JW not 6 or 10 al the kiwi hyper inflation way!

 Beeno: congrats on your sums but I must point out that the numbers on the scoreboard are the relevant ones. Whatveas the margin of the AB victory this time? We have confidence in you, we know you can do it but if you need a calculator we won't object