What the Kiwi papers say about the All Blacks’ demolition job over the Springboks

You can come out now: New Zealand have finally stopped scoring. Although, if you are a Springbok fan, we’ll forgive you if you never want to see any rugby ever again. This weekend’s defeat against the All Blacks was bad, really bad. And the New Zealand rugby writers didn’t exactly go easy on the Boks.

The Otago Daily Times noted just how brutal that final try was, saying:

“The try by replacement hooker Codie Taylor in the dying minutes was almost cruel – the home side appearing to virtually concede the lineout drive. Their spirit was broken; and all they had to show for their limited performance were five Morne Steyn penalties.”

Adding:

“It was the story of the match. Whereas the Boks looked stilted and awkward with the ball – when they didn’t kick it away, which was often – the All Blacks constantly probed and asked questions of the defence.”

Over on the New Zealand Herald, Chris Rattue, referred to the  “two saddest sights” in his Rugby Championship summary, referring to  “champion Springbok wing Bryan Habana playing like an exhibit” and the other “years of SA rugby magnificence going down the gurgler”. And, just to rub it in, wrote that Pat Lambie was  “horrible, like the rest of the South African backs … useless kick led to charge-down try”, Morne Steyn “ponderous; his kick-reliant game is a killer” and Faf de Klerk “helter-skelter … the antithesis of Springbok halfback heritage”.

On Stuff.co.nz, Liam Napier referred New Zealand as “soul destroying” noting that first, “they crush your energy levels; then your spirit. By the end, there’s nothing left but depressed and disillusioned opposition.”

In another piece, Napier said that “the Springboks were embarrassed on home soil like never before, and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was left brimming with pride. Job more than done.”