Dan Carter: Superb form for New Zealand

Dan Carter's kicking was definitely the difference in the game, but the All Black's did play with a lot more adventure and a lot more pace.

Mark Robinson
Quotes of the week

New Zealand v South Africa
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Former All Black Mark Robinson told Sky Sports News that New Zealand just don't lose at Carisbrook as they prepare to take on South Africa in the second Tri-Nations game.

New Zealand won the first game in Wellington 19-8 and Robinson believes his countrymen will only get better.

"It was a very gutsy performance from New Zealand I thought and they showed lot of stamina and really worked hard," said Robinson on Sky Sports News.

"Technically there are some errors they need to work on, but they showed a lot of depth out there.

"Dan Carter's kicking was definitely the difference in the game, but the All Blacks did play with a lot more adventure and a lot more pace.

"Carter is so elusive and you just don't know what he is going to do. He just offers so many options that makes it very hard to defend against.

Tough

"As for the second game, well the All Blacks don't lose at Carisbrook," added Robinson who won three caps for New Zealand.

"I think it is going to be a tough ask for South Africa to win that. The Springboks will improve - they have made a few changes with one of them being Percy Montgomery coming in. But it is going to be one tough game."

Robinson, who will be playing for London Wasps in the 2008/09 Guinness Premiership, also gave his opinion on the controversy that followed the Wellington Test.

Springbok skipper John Smit has been very vocal regarding New Zealand lock Brad Thorn's 'spear tackle', while the boks have also been highly critical of the New Zealand scrum.

"That tackle was just a little bit of aggression, it was not a spear tackle," said Robinson.

"He [Smit] did not land on his neck. I think the problem was that it happened after the whistle went and probably over aggressive.

"John Smit was slammed onto his back and not onto his neck. I think that is why Brad Thorn only got suspended for one week.

"There has been a lot of verbal mind games going on; about the tackle and about illegal scrummgaing, but I think South Africa are just looking for ways to unsettle the All Black camp. Obviously the boks are upset about losing John Smit.

"I think it is going to be another close game but I fully expect New Zealand to come out on top."