The New Zealand All Blacks need to beat the Wallabies next Saturday to edge the Springboks out and starve them of two wins in a row.

The clash of the year between the two top rugby teams in the world, the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks produced what could be expected from such an encounter.

It was a bruising encounter, with the forwards and shallow defence dominating play.

Significant was the fact the three Springboks tries came from All Blacks mistakes -- the Boks on the other hand were torrid in defence.

The final try that sealed the victory for the All Blacks was a master stroke of forward play by their tight five. Mealamu scored after a brutal forward shove from a lineout ten metres out from the Boks try line.

The two wingers Rockococko (NZ) and Habana (Boks) were outstanding with pace and determination when the chances came their way. Kicking was the order of the day with both teams intent on playing the game in the others half.

Next week, the All Blacks will be out to take the Tri Nations trophy for 2005 with a win against the Wallabies in Auckland. The "wobblies" are crippled with injuries but still have a competitive side to run on at Eden Park with pride at stake through not wanting to make it five losses in a row.

The step back in time happened in Dunedin as these two once dominant teams in world rugby again came to the fore with a classic encounter -- many think this test will go down as one of the best and it certainly had the expectation of victory for both teams until the last five minutes.