Referee moves to defuse war of words
Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:09
Referee Mat Goddard will host a meeting of All Blacks and Springboks coaches ahead of Saturday's second Tri-Nations rugby test in an effort to defuse the acrimony which has grown between the teams.
International Rugby Board referees chief Paddy O'Brien proposed the meeting to quell a storm of rhetoric since New Zealand's 19-8 win in the first test last weekend with mutual allegations of cheating or foul play.
Springboks captain John Smit raised the greatest flurry in an extended attack on the All Blacks immediately prior to his return to South Africa, where he will receive treatment for a groin injury.
Smit was incensed that All Blacks lock Brad Thorn escaped with a single match suspension for a dangerous tackle which may have been the cause of his injury.
Thorn will miss Saturday's match because of his suspension on a revised charge of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Smit alleged the All Blacks receive more lenient treatment than other teams from referees and judicial tribunals.
"One almost gets the idea that anyone who is not from New Zealand does not have the same rights as someone who plays for the All Blacks," Smit said.
"I was suspended for six weeks after a test in France for running into someone with my elbow held in front of me. It was not nearly as nasty as what happened to me last Saturday."
All Blacks coach Graham Henry had earlier alleged flyhalf Dan Carter was targeted by the Springboks at Wellington and was the victim of a number of tackles off the ball, principally by his opposite number Butch James.
James, who had a poor match, has surprisingly retained his place in the World Cup winning South Africa lineup for the Carisbrook match while fullback Conrad Jantjes and winger Odwa Ndungane have been dropped.
Jantjes has been replaced by veteran Percy Montgomery and Ndungane by JP Pietersen. Smit's place has gone to Bismarck du Plessis in the only change to the forward pack.
Smit angrily rejected Henry's claims about Carter.
"If everyone can only realize no one is above the rugby laws we can all move forward," he said.
The Springboks also accused New Zealand of illegal scrum tactics in Wellington, saying loosehead prop Tony Woodcock was allowed to "walk around" and pinion his marker.
The All Blacks destroyed the Springbok scrum in the first test and added insult to injury by making a front row change for the Carisbrook match, replacing Greg Somerville with John Afoa. Afoa is perceived as a weaker scrummager, so the move smacks of a lack of regard for the South African pack.
All Blacks scrum coach Mike Cron rejected the Springbok assertions.
"I don't know what their gripe is," he said. "We coach legitimate technique. We don't allow any illegal scrummaging."
Feelings between the teams were further strained when former All Blacks prop Craig Dowd questioned the credentials of Peter de Villiers, the first black man to coach South Africa.
Dowd described de Villiers, who had his first loss in four matches as Springboks coach last weekend, as a "puppet" surrounded by good staff. His comments were attacked as "offensive" by South Africa's honorary consul in New Zealand, Gregory Fortuin.
The rhetoric sets the scene for a fiery match in Dunedin, as the All Blacks attempt to extend a world record 31-game winning streak at home.
It also prompted O'Brien to urge Australian referee Goddard to meet with the teams Friday and to mediate.
SAPA
