The All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan was left reeling as he witnessed the New Zealand team get thoroughly dismantled by the Springboks in a stunning display of rugby in Wellington. Despite heading into halftime with a slight lead, the All Blacks crumbled in the second half, allowing the South Africans to rack up 36 straight points, marking a historic defeat for the home side.
The All Blacks, who seemed poised after a previous victory at Eden Park, were blindsided by a South African team that came alive post-break. RG Snyman's try celebration was just one of many moments of triumph for the Springboks as they unleashed a rugby masterclass that left the New Zealand squad and fans in shock.
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Kirwan expressed his dismay in a post-match conversation with former rival and Springboks legend Victor Matfield, part of their ongoing dialogue on the Rivals podcast.
"I feel physically sick… I want to vomit. South Africa smashed us,"
Kirwan lamented, his words resonating with the disbelief felt by many All Blacks supporters.
The game was indeed a tale of two halves with the All Blacks failing to maintain their initial momentum. The dynamic Cheslin Kolbe, with a striking performance including two tries, was a thorn in the side for the New Zealanders along with Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, and Andre Esterhuizen who all crossed the line to compound the misery for the hosts.
"The scrum dominated us, the lineout dominated us and we couldn’t catch the high ball. They played an expansive game," Kirwan remarked, highlighting the areas where the Springboks outplayed his team. Despite the crushing defeat, Kirwan managed to find grace in acknowledgment:
"Besides that, they totally dominated us and should be incredibly proud."
Kirwan's disappointment was palpable as he critiqued some of the tactical decisions and refereeing during the match. He felt the Springboks employed delaying tactics and was frustrated with the referee's management of the game.
This record defeat surpasses the previous major loss New Zealand suffered against South Africa in a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up, setting a somber milestone. The results have also blown open the race for the Rugby Championship, with just two points separating the top from the bottom, ensuring that the competition remains unpredictably thrilling.
Despite his grievances, Kirwan showed sportsmanship in his final comments, conceding that the better team won on the day and praising the South African side for their blend of power and tactical flair.
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The All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan was left reeling as he witnessed the New Zealand team get thoroughly dismantled by the Springboks in a stunning display of rugby in Wellington. Despite heading into halftime with a slight lead, the All Blacks crumbled in the second half, allowing the South Africans to rack up 36 straight points, marking a historic defeat for the home side.
The All Blacks, who seemed poised after a previous victory at Eden Park, were blindsided by a South African team that came alive post-break. RG Snyman's try celebration was just one of many moments of triumph for the Springboks as they unleashed a rugby masterclass that left the New Zealand squad and fans in shock.
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Kirwan expressed his dismay in a post-match conversation with former rival and Springboks legend Victor Matfield, part of their ongoing dialogue on the Rivals podcast.
"I feel physically sick… I want to vomit. South Africa smashed us,"
Kirwan lamented, his words resonating with the disbelief felt by many All Blacks supporters.The game was indeed a tale of two halves with the All Blacks failing to maintain their initial momentum. The dynamic Cheslin Kolbe, with a striking performance including two tries, was a thorn in the side for the New Zealanders along with Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, and Andre Esterhuizen who all crossed the line to compound the misery for the hosts.
"The scrum dominated us, the lineout dominated us and we couldn’t catch the high ball. They played an expansive game," Kirwan remarked, highlighting the areas where the Springboks outplayed his team. Despite the crushing defeat, Kirwan managed to find grace in acknowledgment:
"Besides that, they totally dominated us and should be incredibly proud."
Kirwan's disappointment was palpable as he critiqued some of the tactical decisions and refereeing during the match. He felt the Springboks employed delaying tactics and was frustrated with the referee's management of the game.
This record defeat surpasses the previous major loss New Zealand suffered against South Africa in a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up, setting a somber milestone. The results have also blown open the race for the Rugby Championship, with just two points separating the top from the bottom, ensuring that the competition remains unpredictably thrilling.
Despite his grievances, Kirwan showed sportsmanship in his final comments, conceding that the better team won on the day and praising the South African side for their blend of power and tactical flair.