OPINION: Now there can be no doubt. Steve Hansen's All Blacks have proven their mettle in the most testing of circumstances to pull off one of their finest victories in test match history.
These All Blacks are now unequivocally and undoubtedly the supreme team in world rugby, taking the best shots of a quality Springboks side at their fortress Ellis Park, overcoming two yellow cards and a number of anxious moments through an exhilarating test match, to emerge 38-27 victors.
Not only do the New Zealanders claim their second straight Rugby Championship title with their second straight clean sweep of this competition, but they lay claim to sole possession of the title of world's best team at this mid-point of the World Cup cycle.
Make no mistake, this is a very, very good Springboks side. Maybe even a great one too. They are big and bruising, and fast and furious. They are streets ahead the second best team on the planet. But today in Johannesburg, they were not good enough to haul in an All Blacks side able to dig as deep as they've had to since the World Cup final a couple of years back.
It was a special contest that somehow not only lived up to the hype, but surpassed it. Test rugby doesn't always measure up as an entertainment spectacle, but this one had a season's worth of skill, excitement, drama and controversy packaged into 80 stunning minutes of sport at its very best.
It's impossible to measure these things, but this was finally a test match to rival the All Blacks' epic 2000 victory over the Aussies at the Sydney Olympic stadium for quality and entertainment.
It must now sit alongside that fabulous 39-35 triumph in the pantheon of great All Black victories, for this was an achievement every bit as notable.
The All Blacks had to fight through two yellow cards - one a little harsh, the second a fair call - and ominous deficits in both halves. But every time they looked like they were teetering on the ropes they found the response they needed to secure their seventh win in their last eight outings against the Boks.
There were heroes everywhere in black. Liam Messam, with two huge tries, had his finest test as an All Black, just hours after Jerome Kaino announced he was coming home to challenge for that No 6 jersey. Timely, to say the least.
Kieran Read - the best player in the game - produced another fabulous display, flicking offloads for tries, thundering into tackles and charging on to passes like the fabulous athlete he is. And what about the skipper? Back so soon from that medial knee ligament injury, Richie McCaw was the inspiration, and the perspiration his side needed.
Locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick tore into a furious battle, Andrew Hore had a mighty first 40 banging heads against his old mate Bismarck du Plessis and the New Zealand forwards were supreme as they muscled up for 20 draining minutes while a man down.
The backs did not miss the party either. The Smiths all played well, Ben getting things rolling with a fine early try and chasing the high kicks splendidly, Aaron at his razor-sharp best and the peerless Conrad enjoying a game that flowed from end to end throughout.
- © Fairfax NZ News
