New Zealand snatch dramatic win over Boks in Championship thriller

Clermont lose their heads and match at rain-lashed La Rochelle

PRETORIA, Oct 6, (AFP): New Zealand twice came from 17 points behind to grab a last-gasp 32-30 win over South Africa in Pretoria Saturday in a Rugby Championship final-round thriller.

Ardie Savea scored a pushover try in the 79th minute to level the scores and another replacement, Richie Mo’unga, slotted a simple conversion for a dramatic triumph.

After turning over level at 6-6, South Africa built a 30-13 lead on the hour only to be pipped by the resilient world champions before a capacity 52,000 crowd.

The result was a bitter blow for the Springboks, who won the possession mont crashed to a 16-12 defeat at La Rochelle on Saturday in a rain-lashed match which saw them reduced to 12 men at one stage.

Clermont at least came away from France’s west coast with a losing bonus point despite the sending-off of prop Loni Uhila for a dangerous tackle on Pierre Bourgarit and yellow cards for flanker Peceli Yato and replacement prop Etienne Falgoux, all in the space of five secondhalf minutes.

La Rochelle were 9-0 up by the break thanks to three penalties inside the first 20 minutes from Kiwi fly-half Ihaia West.

Clermont grabbed the first of their two tries in the opening minute of the second period when winger Damian Penaud went over from Jeremy Sinzelle’s pass.

Morgan Parra missed the conversion before La Rochelle took advantage of their numerical advantage when they were awarded a penalty try as referee Ludovic Cayre lost patience with Clermont’s infringements at the scrum.

Australian hooker John Ulugia barrelled over for Clermont’s second try after 69 minutes with Greig Laidlaw, who had replaced Parra, kicking the extras.

“We were taking on the league leaders so there is fear every time you face a big team,” said La Rochelle prop Uini Atonio.

“We started the match on fire and we have to continue like this if we are to survive in the championship.

“But we have to start winning away; we can’t rely on just winning at home.”

Clermont coach Franck Azema admitted the loss of three players in the second period played its part in his team’s second defeat of the season.

“We were exposed, we were indisciplined, but we do not go home emptyhanded. We have a bonus point and that’s important.”

South Africa’s Jesse Kriel (foreground), scores a try as New Zealand’s Aaron Smith tries to defend during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on Oct 6. (AP)