Graham Henry believes New Zealand's last-gasp victory over South Africa on Saturday will live long in the memory.
All Blacks coach says victory at 'Soccer City' will never be forgotten
Graham Henry believes New Zealand's last-gasp victory over South Africa on Saturday will live long in the memory.
The All Blacks coach saw his side score two late tries to clinch their 10th Tri Nations crown with a 29-22 victory over the Springboks in front of 90,000 fans at the FNB Stadium.
Trailing by five points entering the final two minutes of the game, captain Richie McCaw and full-back Israel Dagg both crossed to seal a dramatic win for the visitors.
"They don't get any bigger than that - a huge Test match, played in front of that crowd in that stadium," said Henry.
"I'm sure it will be pretty significant for the people who were there today.
Special
"I just felt so proud of what they've achieved. The character, backed by their guts and togetherness was superb.
"So I think it was a very special win by the All Blacks today, an outstanding result and something we will never forget as far as we're concerned."
Henry paid tribute to McCaw after the flanker scored a late try and then sealed the turnover ball for Dagg to cross.
"His contributions have been outstanding for the whole year," he added. "That's just an example of two situations which create match-winning performances.
"But I'm sure he'd want me to say that there were 14 other players out there and they all hung in together."
South Africa appeared to have their first victory in this year's competition in their grasp after 17 points from Morne Steyn and a Schalk Burger try.
Deserved
But coach Peter de Villiers paid tribute to the winning side, saying: "Well done to them. Last year when we won it we were over the moon at that stage.
"They deserved it this year with the kind of rugby they played.
"For us it's a great disappointment because we don't like losing. I just came back from a funeral now back there in the dressing room. That's how hard the guys take it.
"But we really made a hell of a step up from our Australasia tour. The one thing we all are now aware of is that as winning becomes a habit, so does losing.
"We now just have to hope for some luck and change that around."
