Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Classic Encounters

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Classic Encounters - Springboks vs All Blacks 2005

As a preview ahead of the South Africa vs New Zealand Tri Nations meeting this weekend, we’re bringing you footage of this classic match from 2005 when both sides met at Carisbrook, in what proved to be a vitally important win for the home team.

A late try from hooker Kevin Mealamu sealed the victory 31-27 in a thrilling match in which the lead changed hands six times.

The match kicked off with the famous Kapa O Pango Haka being performed for the first time ever, adding to the big occasion.

Flying winger supreme Joe Rokocoko scored twice for the All Blacks on the night, while Ricky Januarie showed that Dunedin must surely be one of his best places to play, as he scored a quick thinking charge down just before half time.

With five minutes left in the match the New Zealand forwards drove to the line from a lineout, before Auckland’s Mealamu split from the maul and plunged over for the line.

Luke McAlister converted to give the All Blacks the decisive advantage, and the game ended with the men from New Zealand sneaking it by four.

All Blacks skipper Umaga admitted his side had been slightly fortunate to win.

"We were lucky to hold them out and get what we got, but we're happy with it," Umaga said.

"To the Springboks' credit, they never gave up, as you saw on the scoreboard and in the way they played.’

A South African win or draw would have given the Springboks the crown, but it wasn’t to be, and New Zealand went on to beat Australia in Auckland the next week and lift the Tri Nations trophy once again.

Time: 08:13

should be a great game this weekend... after seeing that its hard to believe Januarie has been dropped, ABs by 2

By boomshanka, at August 15, 2008 2:37 am
I remember this game well. Apart from the 80th minute when the Boks needed to score to win, the Boks didn't really look like scoring all game apart from when the All Blacks had the ball, with all three Bok tries coming from All Blacks' mistakes.

Should be a ripper this weekend, but seeing as how close this game was in Dunedin, I suspect SA might just take it.

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 3:20 am
Its going to be a v.close one 2mrw! Big Joe Rokocoko saved them last year in SA so it wil lbe interesting.

im still backing the AB's.

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 7:20 am
interesting without Big joe that is

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 7:21 am
Nothing against SA becasue they're a top team but i don't think they scored any tries that they created themselves. All from AB mistakes, i think.

ELV's are shite

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 11:26 am
to me it looks like Gear throws the ball in to touch at the end - that's not allowed is it?

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 5:56 pm
That game clearly shows the All Blacks are really missing Joe Rokocoko. He's such a class player and it next to impossible to stop, he's a very strong, powerful and quick runner.

By Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 5:11 am
I remeber the heart ache of losing this game well...the non existant defence on both of Big Joes tries was particularly heart breaking but what a great game it was...

Andy...there's a differance between scoring of errors and scoring off forced errors...Habanas' try and Januaries' try were forced errors...i.e. the boks out played the ABs in those incidents however...

The Jake White era of Bok rugby was never one full of attacking ruggers. Peter de Villiers might not be a very technically sound coash and his mouth is going to get him in trouble but at least he is all about changing the Bok mindset into one of attack...

Should be a massive game today...can't wait.

By durrie, at August 16, 2008 11:17 am
some serious bad refereeing. how many times were both sides offside at rucks that led to forced errors and tries. shows that the 5 m elv at the scrum really helps the attacking team

By Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 12:12 pm