The faces of Scott Robertson and Scott Barrett after the All Blacks' 24-17 win over the Springboks at Eden Park said a lot before the pair had even spoken a word.
The All Black captain was shattered after the immense climax of the test match, that saw his side putting on a goal line stand that harked back to the iconic 1996 series-sealing victory in Pretoria.
It took Barrett a moment of contemplation before opened his mouth, simply to say that occasion had lived up to its billing as the meeting of the greatest rivals in the game.
"They really turned up, they really wanted to win tonight" said Barrett about the Springboks, who roared home over the last 20 minutes and almost snatched a draw.
Scott Barrett addresses the All Blacks. Photo: ActionPress
"We turned up on Monday with a real attitude to defending our home territory. You can certainly see that in the way the guys fronted up tonight."
Meanwhile, Robertson was beaming with pride but obviously massively relieved at the way his side battled through adversity, especially at the way that key moments were dealt with.
"Some of the defensive sets were just immense. We played some really good footy, then the test turned and then we defended," he said.
"We knew it was going to go back and forward. When you're playing a World Cup winning team, a team that's been together for a long period with tournament experience, you're not going to win every moment."
"You've got to stay in that fight, it turned into a scrap, didn't it? They were a couple of calls that went one way or another, but we just kept competing and won the ones that mattered."
Scott Robertson. Photo: ActionPress
Robertson contrasted the build to the previous test against Argentina, which he admitted was substandard and resulted in the loss in Buenos Aires.
"It hurt us, that performance. The care wasn't high enough, the preparation wasn't good enough…this week it needed to be."
As well as atoning for that loss, the motivation for the All Blacks to win for Ardie Savea's milestone 100th test was another obvious driving factor.
"I'm personally proud of the way that the rest of the 23 guys, fronted up for Ardie," said Barrett.
"You know, he's a spiritual leader within our team, so we wanted to make that special… the performance reflected that"
It was therefore fitting that Savea made a big defensive turnover late in the game, with the Springboks hot on attack.
"I just had epitomised who he is really is. He's a person that makes big plays and it just some sum up beautifully," said Robertson.
Scott Barrett makes a tackle on Handre Pollard. Photo: ActionPress
Robertson put the scrum woes the All Blacks had down to the Springboks' intensity at set piece.
"They were good, they got underneath us. It was pretty clear they had that short punch…Jase (Ryan) will have a few drills this week."
However, more went right than went wrong for the All Blacks, including their ability to go right down the depth chart in such a big game. Finlay Christie and Kyle Preston had big roles to play, a big ask given it was Preston's test debut.
"Fin's been there and done that, he knows his way around this field pretty well. Box kicks, the majority were on the money. Then KP (Preston), what a story that is, it's like a little movie isn't it?"
Robertson revealed that the traditional community congratulation video that gets compiled for each debuting All Black mostly featured Wellington roofers, the trade Preston was plying before being signed for his breakout season for the Crusaders.
"It just reflected on where he came from and how much it meant to them. He started the fight to be a professional player and did a job for us. So, great for him and Red (Christie)."
The All Blacks head to Wellington today for the second test next Saturday night at Sky Stadium.
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