All Black centre Isaia Toeava receives the yellow card from referee Craig Joubert, despite the protest of Mils Muliaina. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Statistics from the first five games of this year's Tri-Nations competition show a difference in the ratio of penalties per yellow card.

Suspicions are rife in South African rugby that the All Blacks get a special deal, are favoured whether subconsciously or consciously by referees.

South Africa are the most regularly penalised, conceding six penalties per yellow card. The Australians' figure is remarkably similar - just seven a card.

But by the same calculations, the New Zealand tally is incredible. Official figures show they incur 43 penalties a yellow card, more than seven times the figure of the Springboks.

Are the All Blacks favoured by referees? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

1. your views
2. mikey says
   "Absolutely the ABs get away with murder. Richie gets warned three to five times a game, but never gets a yellow."
3. n says
   "This just tells me the All Blacks are smarter than their opponents. When told not to infringe, they don't."
4. comments

   • Add
   order by

   • Latest
   • |
   • Oldest
   • |
   • Most Liked