Ref admitted Test blunders, says All Blacks coach

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen

AFP/Wellington

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen yesterday said referee Jaco Peyper admitted a series of blunders during last week’s record-denying Test draw with Australia—but added it was no excuse for his team’s poor performance.  Hansen, who sought a meeting with the South African whistleblower after the 12-12 draw in Sydney, said Peyper “put his hand up” and confessed he was wrong with one yellow card and several free kicks.

But Hansen said the All Blacks also had an off-day as they were halted one short of a record 18th straight Test win by the fired-up Wallabies. 

“I know why we didn’t perform at the weekend. There were certain areas of our game we were very poor at,” Hanson said, as he announced three changes to his starting line up for the return Test in Auckland tomorrow. 

But as much as the All Blacks were outplayed, Hansen said the refereeing did not help. 

“We’ve spoken to the referee about the scrummaging. He put his hand up, said he got the free-kicks wrong,” he said. 

“The first yellow card (against prop Wyatt Crockett) was wrong—the ball was out. 

“It was a good conversation, I respect the man for his honesty. He’s no different than players. Some days you have a bad day. He had a bad day at the office and put his hand up. 

“But I’ve got to emphasise, it wasn’t just his problem. We had a hell of a bad day ourselves so we’ll forget about him and concentrate on what we can do.”

Hansen said he would meet with French referee Romaine Poite, who is handling tomorrow’s match, before kick-off tomorrow.

The All Blacks have made two injury-enforced changes, with Liam Messam and Ryan Crotty coming in for Jerome Kaino and Ma’a Nonu, while Conrad Smith returns to outside centre after missing the first Test due to the birth of his son.

Buenos Aires: Argentina have made two changes to the starting team for the return Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Salta tomorrow.

Centre Juan Martin Hernandez, a late withdrawal from the side defeated 13-6 in Pretoria last weekend, returns at inside centre in place of Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias.

The other change is also in the backline with Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino coming in on the right wing for Horacio Agulla.

Worcester Warriors hooker Agustin Creevy skippers the Pumas and there are two ex-captains, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Juan Manuel Leguizamon, in the back row.  Coach Daniel Hourcade has also made two alterations to the eight-man replacements list as Argentina seek a first Championship victory after a draw and 12 defeats.

Prop Bruno Postiglioni gets the nod ahead of Lucas Noguera Paz and Agulla takes the place of Amorosino.