New Zealand press turn inward after Baltimore mauling

South Africa closed out Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series with a 43–28 victory over New Zealand at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, sealing a 3–1 triumph in front of a US rugby record crowd of more than 68,000 and confirming the world champions' status as the leading side in the international game.

David Skippers' report for Planet Rugby rounded up how New Zealand's rugby writers reacted to a fourth Test in which the Springboks led for long periods before pulling away in the closing stages.

The consensus among commentators was that the gap between the sides, which had looked narrow after the series opener in Johannesburg, has widened considerably since.

Writing in The New Zealand Herald, Gregor Paul suggested the All Blacks “have slipped a length behind the Boks”, arguing that his side had been beaten for the second week running by opponents with “limitless potential” who looked fitter and sharper than New Zealand deep into the contest.

Stuff's Richard Knowler took a different tack, calling on head coach Dave Rennie to show his players “tough love” once the disappointment of a third straight defeat had settled, while cautioning the team against blaming referee Karl Dickson for the result – advice that, Skippers noted, was not heeded by senior assistant coach Neil Barnes, who criticised the officiating after the match.

Knowler also pointed to New Zealand's discipline as a recurring problem across the series, with needless penalties proving costly in Baltimore despite both sides conceding the same number on the night.