All Blacks confident not arrogant, says coach Steve Hansen
Saturday 8 October 2016 22:17, UK
New Zealand swept aside the Aaron Smith scandal, and South Africa, to equal the top-tier record for consecutive Test victories with a 57-15 hammering in the final round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The masterful All Blacks scored a record nine tries to none against the Springboks, registered 45 points in the second half and won the last 20 minutes 35-0 for their heaviest win in the 95-year rivalry.
It sets New Zealand up for a record-breaking 18th straight victory when they play Australia in two weeks, but away from that winning streak, the compelling Kings Park performance further enhances their reputation as the most feared nation in world rugby.
"Confidence is a massive thing," coach Steve Hansen said. "This team is very confident, full of confidence in their own abilities without being arrogant. We work hard on trying to play a good brand of rugby and at the same time win Test matches. At the moment it's working for us."
The victory handed New Zealand a sixth bonus-point win out of six games in the southern hemisphere tournament. The world champions and top-ranked team had already won the tournament with rounds to spare, their 14th southern hemisphere title in 21 attempts.
Scrum half TJ Perenara, starting in place of Smith, who was suspended for the game for misconduct, scored two tries, as did winger Israel Dagg, and fly-half Beauden Barrett. New Zealand kept coming and coming, with fullback Ben Smith and replacements Codie Taylor and Liam Squire adding late tries, with Squire's after the final hooter.
South Africa could muster only five penalties from Morne Steyn. At the end, Springboks fans applauded as the All Blacks, the enemy, took a lap of honour around the field.
The Springboks aren't the only team to find the All Blacks on another level over the last five years, but this performance underlined more than most the gap between them and the rest.
"They're just so much better," South Africa coach Allister Coetzee said. "On and off the field, they are just in a better class. They are world class. We are really hurting. Almost to the extent that we feel very embarrassed about the last 20 minutes."
