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Cape Town - The All Blacks v Springboks Rugby Championship Test in Wellington last Saturday was widely seen as being tighter than a grasshopper's hamstring.
But not according to the stats...
The All Blacks eventually ran out 14-10 winners after the visitors staged a late siege on their goalline, but what transpired in the 75 or so minutes prior to that?
One-way traffic!
The "official" Opta stats showed a clear dominance by the All Blacks in virtually every facet of play.
On attack the All Blacks were peerless. They made 611 metres (282m), carried the ball 162 times (80), beat 31 defenders (10), made 235 passes (80) and offloaded 16 times (1).
NOTE: Springboks stats in brackets
Much was made of the Springboks' defence which kept the All Blacks to a single try, but stats show the Boks were forced to make 155 tackles and missed 31. The All Blacks, with their mountain of possession, only had to effect 75 tackles - and missed 10.
At the set pieces, the Springboks shaded the All Blacks 13-10 in terms on lineouts won, but did lose more (4 to 3) thanks in main to the introduction - and troubles - of Bismarck du Plessis in the second half.
The Boks won more scrums (10 to 8), but did lose one as well (to the All Blacks' zero).
Heyneke Meyer's men were also on the wrong side of the law more often, conceding 10 penalties to the All Blacks' nine.
But not according to the stats...
The All Blacks eventually ran out 14-10 winners after the visitors staged a late siege on their goalline, but what transpired in the 75 or so minutes prior to that?
One-way traffic!
The "official" Opta stats showed a clear dominance by the All Blacks in virtually every facet of play.
On attack the All Blacks were peerless. They made 611 metres (282m), carried the ball 162 times (80), beat 31 defenders (10), made 235 passes (80) and offloaded 16 times (1).
NOTE: Springboks stats in brackets
Much was made of the Springboks' defence which kept the All Blacks to a single try, but stats show the Boks were forced to make 155 tackles and missed 31. The All Blacks, with their mountain of possession, only had to effect 75 tackles - and missed 10.
At the set pieces, the Springboks shaded the All Blacks 13-10 in terms on lineouts won, but did lose more (4 to 3) thanks in main to the introduction - and troubles - of Bismarck du Plessis in the second half.
The Boks won more scrums (10 to 8), but did lose one as well (to the All Blacks' zero).
Heyneke Meyer's men were also on the wrong side of the law more often, conceding 10 penalties to the All Blacks' nine.
