ABs in World Cup form?

Well the All Blacks certainly do not look like they are in the kind of form that will win them the tri-nations this year.

In fact, my concern is that they are in the kind of form that loses them world cups.

After a win against the Boks last week they went down this evening and at the House of Pain no less.

Lets just say it wasn't unexpected.

The Boks defence was awesome... It was virtually impenetrable and the ABs struggled to find a hole anywhere. Some great tryline vigilance from the Saffers in the second half saved an almost certain try. The same could not be said of the ABs who had a defensive line with holes so big you could drive a truck through them.

It was an moment of individual brilliance that put the game away. A wonderful chip and chase resulted in the South Africa's second try. The Boks were a man down and the ABs had no answer... they were left wanting.

There were some seriously questionable refereeing decisions... for example the interpretation of the off side rule left a little to be desired and he called the Boks out twice for interfering with men off the ball and didn't card the worst offenders once.

Burger fulfilled his role as an enforcer well and on the borderline of legality which was to be expected... In the end the ABs had to rely on DC who missed only once but at the most crucial moment... guffing a field goal attempt in the final minutes.

It will be interesting to see the Boks against Robbie Deans' Wallabies next week in Perth.

I reckon the tri-nations crown is up for grabs and will be a hard ask for the ABs to beat the Boks in SA... stranger things have happened though so I'll live in eternal hope.