All Blacks Go Down Against South Africa

The All Blacks have suffered a narrow 31-27 loss to South Africa at Ellis Park after leading late in the match. The All Blacks led 12-11 at half time but ill-discipline and a 14-5 penalty count against them proved crucial after they surrendered a 27-17 lead with 13 minutes to go. It did not help with the awarding of a controversial try earlier that the bunker had confirmed, although replays showed hooker Bongi Mbonambi clearly loosing the ball in his scoring action.

New Zealand: 27 

Tries: Codie Taylor, Caleb Clarke 2, Jordie Barrett, Conversions: Damian McKenzie 2, Penalty: McKenzie 

South Africa: 31 

Tries: Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 4

All Blacks Lose To South Africa

The All Blacks have not had the best dress rehearsal for the Rugby World Cup with a 35-7 loss to South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday. They conceded five tries to one, and had lock Scott Barrett sent off in the first half after getting two yellow cards. Playing with 14 men for the remainder of the match, coach Ian Foster was forced to bring on replacement lock Tupou Vaai' in place of blindside Luke Jacobson to compete in the lineouts. The All Blacks also lost prop Tyrel Lomax to a leg cut early in the match that needed 30 stitches, putting him in doubt for the RWC opening match against France. Any possible suspension of Barrett would put pressure on the All Blacks with Brodie Retallick still out several weeks with his knee injury from the Dunedin test.

New Zealand All Blacks: 7

Try: Cam Roigard, Conversion: Richie Mo'unga

South Africa: 35

Tries: Siya Kolisi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith, Conversions: Manie Libbok 5

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Wales on Sunday 6th November at 4.15am. Foster has named a strong side, with multiple changes from the side that faced Japan.

After the fractured cheeckbone suffered by captain Sam Cane against Japan, Dalton Papali'i will start at openside flanker, with Shannon Frizell on the blindside. Scott Barrett will start at lock in place of Brodie Retallick who has been suspended for two matches, while Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, and Tyrel Lomax are the starting front row. In the backs, Aaron Smith starts at halfback for his 113th test, Richie Mo'unga at first five, Jordie Barrett at second five, and Beauden Barrett at fullback.

New Zealand All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Samuel Whitelock (c), 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Beauden Barrett, 

Reserves: 

16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. David Havili, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown