All Blacks shake bug to trash Aussies

DISJOINTED, disinterested. Downright disappointing.

That was the tale of woe the Springboks were inflicting on 27 000 souls in their Rugby Championship opener here yesterday before the gravity of their unfolding nightmare seemed to register.

It took 68 minutes for the wake-up call to come — when they were staring down the barrel 10 points adrift.

Spurred on by the home crowd, which displayed a remarkable patience, the hosts finally took to their task with alacrity. First Johan Goosen got over the line after a solid scrum following some deft running and passing from Faf de Klerk, then Elton Jantjies kicked a penalty that levelled matters, before Warren Whiteley brought delirium to the arena when he scored the match-clinching try.

He celebrated on his knees, the Pumas assumed the same position in despair.

It was a stunning comeback that speaks volumes for the team’s resolve, but they do make a habit of leaving it late in the Lowveld. WORLD champions New Zealand thrashed Australia 42-8 in an impressive opening to their Rugby Championship campaign in Sydney yesterday after All Blacks’ officials claimed a sophisticated bugging device had been found in their hotel meeting room.

The device was planted inside a chair and found during a routine sweep of the room in the lead-up to the clash.

New Zealand Rugby said in a statement

Earlier the Pumas players showed none of the lassitude that at times paralysed them in Super Rugby. They warmed to their task at the ruck, while their defence, particularly at the maul, was outstanding.

Their captain Agustin Creevy, playing in his 50th test, had the gait of a hyena that made him a formidable opponent in the tight exchanges, while young No 8 Facundo Isa showed he will develop into a player of enduring quality.

The tourists were resolute as they were resourceful but, ultimately, with the goal-line in sight, they ran out of legs. “We are very that the police have been called in to investigate. The hotel also launched an investigation.

On the field of play, the All Blacks scored six tries to one in inflicting one of their heaviest defeats on the tournament’s defending champions.

The Kiwis had the match well won with a 32-3 lead at half time after overpowering the Wallabies with four tries in the first half. — angry but we have to learn to play for 80 minutes,” said coach Daniel Hourcade.

For the Springboks the first half started with promise, but errors and missed opportunities conspired against them. Two first-half penalties drifted wide, another hit the upright, while centre Lionel Mapoe lost the ball in the act of what appeared to be a routine touchdown.

All the while the Pumas were sinking their claws deeper into Bok flesh.

Their composure seemed to have abandoned them and they fell foul of the most rudimentary errors. They could not hold on to the ball