Referees aren't soft on us: All Blacks

The All Blacks have pointed to their high yellow-card count in 2017 in refuting claims referees give them an easy ride.

New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster.

Assistant coach Ian Foster has rubbished claims that the All Blacks get an easy ride from referees. (AAP)

THe All Blacks are rallying against claims they get an easy ride from officials because of their world-leading status.

The issue of two key refereeing decisions in the first Test against France continued to overshadow New Zealand's 52-11 win, as the teams began preparations for the second match in Wellington.

Controversy has surrounded the yellow card shown to French lock Paul Gabrillagues which swung momentum in what began as a tight Test at Eden Park.

Inexperienced English referee Luke Pearce was criticised for then doing nothing more than penalising All Blacks Sam Cane and Ofa Tu'ungafasi for contact with the head of Remy Grosso. The collision fractured the French winger's skull and ruled him out of the series.

The lack of any subsequent citing also drew ire from commentators, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Former international Rob Debney wrote a column for The Times claiming New Zealand "get away with murder".

Debney believes match officials subconsciously favour the triple world champions because of the extra scrutiny they are under.

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster rubbished the claim, pointing out they were among the most-penalised teams last year in world rugby.

They were handed eight yellow cards and a red to Sonny Bill Williams, a figure unmatched by most nations.

"Clearly we don't think we get any favours from the referees at all," Foster said.

"It's hurt us, yellow cards. We're like other teams - we don't like going down to 14. It's something we work hard to make sure technically we're as sound as possible."

Foster concedes his players are guilty at times of poor tackle techniques but says it is a universal issue.

They understand that if they go high into any contact, they become susceptible to the same punishment as any team, he added.

Meanwhile, there are no injury problems, meaning the All Blacks are likely to select close to the same team for the second Test.

Williams trained in cold, wet conditions on Tuesday but was unlikely to be considered for selection.

The veteran inside centre looks poised for a return in the third Test in Dunedin.


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Source: AAP


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