MONDAY, 8.30AM:
THE All Blacks trounced the Springboks 55-35 in Auckland — the highest-ever score against a ‘Bok team — in a dirty match in which ‘Bok flanker Andre Venter was sent off for stomping on the face of All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick.
Springbok wing James Small was shown the yellow card for trying to trip Christian Cullen as he ran to the line for his second try, and the All Blacks accused ‘Bok lock Mark Andrews of dirty play after he stood on the back of flanker Josh Kronfeld, injuring him.
All Blacks coach JohnHart said the Springboks lost their way through lack of discipline. “I don’tthink kicking Fitzpatrick has any place in the game. There were other incidents that don’t deserve to be in the game … I thought the discipline of the All Blacks was outstanding under provocation.”
Bok coach Carel du Plessis defended his team against the dirty play allegations, saying that Venter had stood on Kirkpatrick accidentally while trying to get the ball.