NEW Zealand edged out South Africa at Lancaster Park yesterday in a scrappy rugby unions match that fell far short of its high expectations. It was sweet revenge for the All Blacks after their 15-12 defeat in last years World Cup final, but the manner of victory was disappointing.
South Africa's Andre Joubert scored the game's only try in one of the match's few highlights, and that score helped the tourists to an 8-6 half time lead.
But in the end, the Springboks' consistent offside play, which upset the All Black's normal attacking pattern, allowed flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens to kick New Zealand to victory with five penalties.
Scottish referee Ray Megson dominated the match, dishing out 24 penalties to the All Blacks and 12 to South Africa.
The All Blacks were unsettled by fierce tackling, but it was a bumbling, mistake ridden performance that was in sharp contrast to their near perfect win over Australia two weeks ago in Wellington.
New Zealand now lead the six match tri series with nine points to Australia's four and South Africa's two. New Zealand have played three matches to the other nations' two.
All Black coach John Hart said the team did not play well but he was happy. "How often do you beat South Africa playing badly?" he said. "When you win against South Africa when you don't play well, I'm really happy about that."
He was critical of the number of penalties given by Megson. "There were far too many penalties in a game of rugby," Hart said. "We want to see the ball move. You are just not seeing it move when it is refereed like that today."
