A former Springboks coach says the All Blacks "cleaned past the ball" in the leadup to their two match‑winning tries in Pretoria ‑ but cleverly avoided any risk of an obstruction call.
Nick Mallett, now a rugby analyst for the SuperSport television channel in South Africa, said the Springboks' 32‑30 loss after leading for most of the game was "absolutely heartbreaking" but the All Blacks "deserve a lot of credit".
Mallett knows first‑hand about tight finishes to All Blacks‑Springboks tests.
His 1998 team scored three tries in the final 14 minutes to beat John Hart's All Blacks, 24‑23, in Durban.
He admired the composed, close‑quarters play of the Kieran Read‑led All Blacks in the final stages at Loftus Versfeld yesterday.
He says when they decided to hold onto the ball among their forwards, with the close quarter driving play that they have, every player had a support [player] on his shoulder.
Mallett said it doesn't matter if they made half a metre or a metre, they scored two tries from it.
[Source : stuff.co.nz]
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