Thorn suspension blights All Blacks victory

By Greg Stutchbury

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's emphatic 19-8 victory over world champions South Africa in the opening Tri-Nations match was marred by the one-game suspension handed down to lock Brad Thorn after the match.

Thorn was found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct at a judicial hearing on Sunday for picking up South African hooker John Smit in the sixth minute and unceremoniously dumping him on his back.

The 33-year-old was one of New Zealand's standouts in an exemplary forward display in wet and windy conditions at Westpac Stadium and his physical presence will be sorely missed in next Saturday's match at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

The Springboks threw themselves into contact and more than competed at the breakdown, though the feeling among many at the ground was the score could have blown out had what appeared to be a legitimate Jerome Kaino second half try not been disallowed.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry, however, was not getting too far ahead of himself after the match, believing the South Africans would fight back in Dunedin. "I think it's very early," said Henry. "We are just pleased to come through with the win.

"We have a lot of improving to do. I think South Africa will be a much improved team next week. That will give them the fire in the belly. " KICKING ERRORS

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers, who has tried to introduce a more expansive style to his team's back play, said his side had probably made too many errors with their tactical kicking and forced too many passes.

"I don't think we read the situation that well," said de Villiers. "There are things that we need to work on and I think the kicking game will be one of them."