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All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen fired back at his old sparring partner Robbie Deans on Sunday after the frustrated Wallabies coach accused their opponents of cynical play not befitting the occasion.
The All Blacks’ 32-19 win at Tokyo’s National Stadium on saturday night made it seven in a row against Deans’ Wallabies, equalling the trans-Tasman winning streak of the 1995-97 side and behind only the nine consecutive New Zealand wins between 1936-49.
Something had to give for Deans after his side’s much-improved effort, and he eyed up the All Blacks’ tactics at the breakdown.
“Can anyone tell me what the penalty count was?” he volunteered.
The answer was 13-9 to the Wallabies, which included five to the Australians in the first 10 minutes from referee Mark Lawrence.
“I know the first six penalties, four were in the red zone and there probably should have been a couple of others when balls were lifted out of rucks one metre short of the line.
“That’s frustrating from our perspective. Particularly when you’re playing a fixture in Tokyo when you’re trying to promote the game, I don’t think it contributed well to the game.
“Our discipline was pretty good, particularly under the circumstances.”
Former Canterbury teammates Deans and Hansen could hardly be described as close mates in recent years and Hansen was quick to counter today.
“Thirteen and nine is not a big amount of penalties, and I don’t think Rob can complain too much when we kicked six penalties ourselves,” Hansen said.
“It was a very contestable game at the breakdown and when you get games like that you’re going to get penalties, and get people off their feet.
“Both sides were guilty of it, as the penalties on the scoreboard showed.”
There were several scuffles as the Wallabies appeared frustrated.
The most serious was in the 80th minute when Tony Woodcock whacked George Smith, which later saw the All Blacks prop get a one-match ban.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.