New Zealand's composure was key in hard-fought Rugby World Cup victory over South Africa says Richie McCaw
Saturday 24 October 2015 20:56, UK
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said the All Blacks' 20-18 Rugby World Cup victory over South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday was every bit as hard as they expected.
New Zealand were twice forced to come from behind as they booked their place in a second successive World Cup final.
Despite a sixth-minute try from Jerome Kaino, the All Blacks were behind at half-time courtesy of four penalties from the boot of Handre Pollard.
The reigning champions gained the advantage on 52 minutes when replacement Beauden Barrett crossed in the corner.
Although South Africa made it a two-point game with 11 minutes remaining, McCaw and his All Blacks side held on in the pouring Twickenham rain.
"We did what we came here to do, it was hard today but that's always the case against Springboks," McCaw said.
"If you look at the first half, our indiscipline was keeping South Africa in the game (but) we held our composure well and the points came.
"I've been saying all week we would be up against the old enemy...it's great to come out the right side."
Centre Conrad Smith said: "They played very well put us under pressure, didn't give us much room, we had to dig deep and I'm proud of how we did it.
"(At half-time) we just talked about getting the ball out just a bit quicker, nothing big, just a few adjustments."
South Africa's captain Fourie du Preez said: "We're disappointed. It's very tough to take. Just two points. But credit to both teams. They kept the pressure on us. We struggled to get out of our own half.
"Unfortunately we couldn't capitalise," he said of South Africa's failure to make the most an extra man when New Zealand had Kaino sin-binned at the end of the first half.
"But credit to the All Blacks, they played well."
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer had no complaints: "Well done, you deserve it," he revealed he had told his opposite number Hansen. "There are no words - our discipline was not good enough in the second half."
