The All Blacks, who are concerned that their key players are being “targeted” by the opposition, will have plenty to “complain” about after their Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup encounter with the Wallabies at the MCG in Melbourne on Saturday.
Wallaby vice-captain George Smith has told the Kiwis that their captain Richie McCaw can expect much of the same that he got from the Springboks during New Zealand’s 26-21 Tri-Nations victory last week.
While the All Blacks were unhappy about how their skipper was hammered off the ball, Smith said he couldn’t see anything untoward in the Springboks’ actions.
“You have to play on the edge. I don’t think McCaw was targeted by the Springboks intentionally,” Smith told Rugbyheaven.
“We will definitely try to nullify him in the game.”
The All Blacks disagreed, believing the South Africans concentrated on hammering McCaw in Durban with some underhand tactics.
Yesterday, All Blacks coach Graham Henry said he expected better from the Australians.
“There’s nothing worse than being clobbered off the ball when you’re not expecting it,” Henry told the media.
“That’s the worst thing in rugby and they are called cheap shots. That was discussed after the South African game, and has nothing to do with this game coming up.”
Wallaby vice-captain George Smith has told the Kiwis that their captain Richie McCaw can expect much of the same that he got from the Springboks during New Zealand’s 26-21 Tri-Nations victory last week.
While the All Blacks were unhappy about how their skipper was hammered off the ball, Smith said he couldn’t see anything untoward in the Springboks’ actions.
“You have to play on the edge. I don’t think McCaw was targeted by the Springboks intentionally,” Smith told Rugbyheaven.
“We will definitely try to nullify him in the game.”
The All Blacks disagreed, believing the South Africans concentrated on hammering McCaw in Durban with some underhand tactics.
Yesterday, All Blacks coach Graham Henry said he expected better from the Australians.
“There’s nothing worse than being clobbered off the ball when you’re not expecting it,” Henry told the media.
“That’s the worst thing in rugby and they are called cheap shots. That was discussed after the South African game, and has nothing to do with this game coming up.”
365 Digital
