RUGBY/Tri-Nations, New Zealand v South Africa: All Blacks skipper Reuben Thorne has dismissed claims that New Zealand would cruise to victory over South Africa in their Tri-Nations match today.

South Africa go into the match with one Tri-Nations win out of three, a 26-22 victory over Australia in their opening fixture, the same Australia the New Zealanders hammered 50-21 in Sydney.

Thorne said yesterday the All Blacks had never underestimated the opposition, especially South Africa, who were always capable of playing good rugby.

In this year's tournament, New Zealand followed up a 52-16 win over the Springboks in Pretoria with that victory over the Australians.

South Africa arrived in New Zealand on the back of a 29-9 defeat by the Wallabies in Brisbane last week.

"We have had a couple of good results, but the key for us is to continue with the quality of performance," Thorne said.

"Just because a team gets beaten by a big margin doesn't mean they are necessarily weak. I would prefer to say it was our good performance rather than their poor one."

Thorne said the tough international programme this year had been good for the All Blacks, saying there had been steady improvements in matches against England (13-15), Wales (55-3) and France (31-23).

"Those matches were very good for our confidence," he said. "We have managed to continue improving, but you are only as good as your last result, so tomorrow's game is important for us to keep the momentum going."

Thorne, however, rejected South Africa coach Rudolph Straeuli's recent assertion that the All Blacks had peaked too soon for the World Cup and were vulnerable.

"We haven't peaked because there are still plenty of areas we need to improve on."

Meanwhile, South Africa captain Corne Krige is hoping the Springboks will not be overawed by the All Blacks' reputation and can raise their game when the sides meet at Carisbrook.

"Hopefully I will get a really gutsy performance and maybe not give the All Blacks the same amount of respect everyone else seems to," he said.

"They are good . . . but beatable and we've got to go out and take them on."

RESULTS TO DATE

South Africa 26 Australia 22; South Africa 16 New Zealand 52; Australia 21 New Zealand 50; Australia 29 South Africa 9.

REMAINING FIXTURES

Today: New Zealand v South Africa, Dunedin. August 16th: New Zealand v Australia, Auckland