New Zealand claimed the Tri-Nations rugby title in stunning fashion when replacement Israel Dagg ran in a last-minute try to steal a 29-22 win over South Africa in Soweto Saturday. The All Blacks trailed with two minutes left until captain Richie McCaw and then Dagg dotted down to clinch their 10th Tri-Nations crown in 15 seasons and break South African hearts. The result spoiled a big day for captain John Smit, who became the second South African to play 100 tests, in front of the biggest crowd for a Springboks home test in 55 years. More than 90,000 were attending the first-ever rugby international in Soweto. “I'm proud of our boys,” McCaw said. “We kept believing in what we were doing. We got some pressure on in that second half and perhaps their weary legs gave us a few opportunities that we managed to take. “I'm happy we won but I feel sorry for John. For a guy like that, he probably deserved better but that's the way rugby goes. It's a cruel game.” New Zealand coach Graham Henry said it was an unforgettable win for his All Blacks. “They don't get any bigger than that – a huge test match played in front of that crowd in that stadium,” Henry said. “I just felt so proud of what they've achieved. The character, backed by their guts and togetherness was superb. “I think it was a very special win ... an outstanding result and something we will never forget as far as we're concerned.” New Zealand needed only a bonus point in FNB Stadium to secure the Tri-Nations, but ended up with a fifth win in five matches, and a game to spare. McCaw squeezed over in the right corner under three defenders in the 78th minute, and the try was eventually awarded after a long deliberation by the Television Match Official. Flyhalf Dan Carter was wide with the potential match-winning conversion, his third miss at goal in the match. With the scores locked at 22-22, and with just seconds remaining, the All Blacks rucked the Boks off the ball and center Ma'a Nonu then broke through the South African backline and passed to replacement wing Dagg, who ran in a brilliant winning try. It was the first time the All Blacks had led since Carter's sixth-minute penalty put them 3-0 up. “I really thought we had done enough,” said Smit.
