Rival Springboks and All Blacks coaches are to meet referee Matt Goddard before Saturday’s second rugby clash in an attempt to stop an escalating war of words spilling onto the field.
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith fired the latest shot in the verbal sparring match on Thursday when he accused the South Africans of trying to influence Goddard with their criticism of the way the All Blacks won the first Test 19-8.
Sniping from both camps following the intensely physical encounter has forced International Rugby Board referees boss Paddy O’Brien to call them together before Goddard on Friday in an attempt to ease the tension.
Accusations this week have included South African coach Peter de Villiers charging All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock of cheating, and saying that’s why the world champion Springboks had trouble at scrum time.
Bok captain John Smit — who was picked up and hurled to the ground by Brad Thorn — objected to the one-week suspension for the All Blacks lock and claimed the New Zealanders are protected by the rugby judiciary.
The Springboks are also angry that Smit suffered a groin strain in the tackle and will not be able to play in the second Tri-Nations Test.
On the other side, All Blacks coach Graham Henry claimed his star flyhalf Dan Carter was the constant target of off-the-ball attention from his opposite Butch James.
All Blacks number eight Jerome Kaino then taunted the Springboks, who are renowned for their fearsome approach, by saying they buckle when the All Blacks stand up to them physically.
Smith, who welcomed the pre-match chance to clear the air before referee Goddard, said there was no doubt the South Africans were playing mind-games aimed at influencing the Australian whistle blower.
”This is international rugby, you expect intensity, you expect a tough build-up and you expect teams to fire whatever they can at you,” he said.
”It probably creates a bit of intensity around the contest. I think that’s one of the strategies for doing it.”
But when asked if he believed the referee could be influenced, he said: ”No.”
Smith also seemed unaware of Henry’s outburst about South African flyhalf James, saying the New Zealand management’s approach was to take grievances privately to match officials.
”Our attitude has always been to get on with it, understand what’s required, make sure there’s consistency and get on with it,” he said.
”You see instances from both sides in a game that get punished and don’t get punished, that’s just part of the game. Officials can’t see everything.”
New Zealand scrum coach Mike Cron, who will sit in on the meeting with Goddard, hit back at de Villiers by suggesting the scrums problem lay with the Springboks.
”A lot of the problem comes down to good technique versus poor technique. If you don’t put the resources into teaching good technique, there’s an issue, which frustrates the hell out of me,” he said.
”We in New Zealand all coach legitimate technique, we don’t allow any illegal scrummaging. I class ourselves as purists.”
De Villiers meanwhile took a more placatory stance on Thursday, saying the public talk was over.
”What happens on the field is of more importance to us,” he said.
De Villiers on Thursday made three changes to the Springboks starting lineup for the second Test.
Veteran fullback Percy Montgomery comes in for Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen replaces Odwa Ndungane on the wing and Bismarck de Plessis takes over as hooker in place of Smit.
The All Blacks made two changes to their winning side, adding lock Anthony Boric for the suspended Brad Thorn and replacing tighthead prop Greg Somerville with John Afoa. – AFP
Teams:
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Rodney So’oialo (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Kevin O’Neill, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald
South Africa: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.