Slow-burning All Blacks fail to hit highs

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For the second week running the All Blacks have let their opponents get a double-figure lead before warming up to the game.

Last week they had too much class for the Wallabies, but against South Africa in the Highveld it was always going to be a tough ask to claw back the deficit.

And so it proved with Jaque Fourie securing the win for the Springboks after another set of All Black errors.

Conrad Smith and Jerome Kaino were excellent for the All Blacks, while Richie McCaw and his opposite number Heinrich Brussow dominated the breakdown.

But once again the front-row trio didn't impose themselves enough on the game and the All Blacks have a lot to ponder before next week's Durban Test.

Here's how Yahoo!Xtra scored the All Blacks.

15. Mils Muliaina: Solid, but like his colleagues in the backline didn't get too much of an opportunity to show his undoubted class. 6

14. Joe Rokocoko: Had a pretty good game under the high-ball but lacked any possession in space to get the legs pumping. 6

13. Conrad Smith: Great tackling and running early on. Superb tackle on Jean de Villiers couldn't stop Ruan Pienaar's five-pointer. Sensational try to bring the All Blacks back into the game and didn't deserve to be on the losing team. 9

12. Ma'a Nonu: Broke the advantage line on numerous occasions and showed once again why he's become an international class second five-eighth. 7

11. Sitiveni Sivivatu: Should have ran instead of kicking to touch after Springboks turnover in the first-half. Showed at end of first period what he is capable of with good run. Not enough ball to impose himself. 6

10. Stephen Donald: First kick eased any nerves, but didn't get a lot of go-forward possession, especially in the first-half. Solid tackling and good dead-ball kicking kept the All Blacks in the game. 7

9. Brendon Leonard: Good kicking from the set-piece, but penalised twice by referee Alain Rolland for incorrect feeding. Threw a couple of intercepts and didn't show the x-factor around the breakdown. 6

8. Rodney So'oialo: Still lacking a little in match fitness. An okay performance but didn't stand-out like he needs to. 6

7. Richie McCaw (captain): Always a danger at the breakdown and secured great turnover ball. Led from the front as always, but not enough of his team-mates stood up beside him. 7

6. Jerome Kaino: Has added a much needed steel to the scrum. Great tackler and really came into his own in the second half. Hard to believe it's the same player who looked so unimpressive for the Blues in the Super 14. 9

5. Isaac Ross: Amazing clearing kick after Ruan Pienaar missed a penalty and showed how dangerous he was on the burst. Another great performance from the youngster. 8

4. Brad Thorn: Solid once more without ever being exceptional. Tough tackling and his experience continues to help Ross to excel. 6

3. Neemia Tialata: Once again failed to impose himself. Poor decision with tap 22 restart led to three points for the Springboks. Was hampered by an injury and withdrawn at half-time. 5

2. Andrew Hore: First throw was long and with Victor Matfield causing problems at the lineout never looked totally comfortable. Withdrawn for Mealamu. 5

1. Tony Woodcock: Didn't have too much involvement, and alongside his front-row colleagues failed to set the platform needed to win. 5

Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu: Replaced Hore in the 58th minute. Didn't change things around. 5
17. Owen Franks: On at half-time for injured Tialata. Strong and must be pushing for a starting spot next week 6
18. Jason Eaton: On for Ross in the 65th minute. Made two crucial errors which sealed win for Springboks 4
19. Kieran Read: Replaced So'oialo in 52nd minute. Solid performance. Decent impact player from bench. 6
20. Piri Weepu: On for Leonard in the 49th minute. Passing wasn't as crisp as Leonard's and didn't make the impact he needed to. 5
21. Luke McAlister: On for Conrad Smith with 6 minutes left.
22. Cory Jane: Stayed on the bench.