KEY POINTS:
It's bizarre that in the aftermath of a magnificently physical test series, New Zealand and South Africa spent their downtime acting like big Jessies.
Every time a microphone strayed by a Springbok player, out would spew some invective about the All Blacks and a plea for the IRB
to do something about it.
The All Blacks also explored the 'run to mummy' strategy, with Graham Henry urging officials to clamp down on what he thought were targeted, repeated late tackles on Daniel Carter.
"It is frustrating and we've been saying this for a long time now, so I just hope that they [the referees] get tougher," said Henry immediately after the first test.
It was hard to take him seriously when only five minutes earlier he had said he doubted there was much in the incident involving Brad Thorn and John Smit.
Likewise, as Springbok captain Smit claimed the All Blacks had only a passing regard for playing the game legally, it was impossible not to conjure images of Victor Matfield's swinging forearm crashing into Byron Kelleher's jaw in 2005 and the big lock not even earning a ticking off.
The Springboks and All Blacks have a long history of unsavoury incidents and probably sit alongside the French as the dirtiest nations in world rugby when judged over the last 50 years.
That gives them credibility issues when they start hurling stones, creating another problem as both sides have made valid points in the last week.
Henry's right when he says something needs to be done to cut out the off-the-ball activity against key All Black players. In 2006 it was Richie McCaw who had to cop relentless cheap shots, now it's Carter.
In Wellington he was hit late by Butch James at least four times.
Carter was prepared and has long resigned himself to the inevitability of it.
"Against these guys [South Africa] you almost do expect it," he said. "It is part of their game to really try and intimidate you physically and if they are targeting individuals like myself then we have plenty of capable individuals that can make breaks and create opportunities.
"That is just part of it and you have to work hard to try to get round it. It's nothing new."
Foul play should never be accepted because it was unpunished in the past.
Just as the IRB should be vigilant about targeting, they should ask if the All Blacks are treated more leniently.
In 2003 Ali Williams was cited for standing on England wing Josh Lewsey's head. The panel found his actions were 'inadvertent and incidental'.
The following year Keith Robinson punched Lawrence Dallaglio in front of the referee without facing sanctions. A week later England lock Simon Shaw was sent off when his knee brushed Robinson's back.
Then in 2005 was the incident involving Tana Umaga, Keven Mealamu and Brian O'Driscoll. The All Blacks weren't even cited but, in that same game, footage showed Danny Grewcock had bitten Mealamu and the Lions lock was sent home.
Smit can't be ignored when he says the sense of outrage would have been far greater had Richie McCaw been injured in a dangerous and illegal tackle. Once the IRB put aside the hypocrisy of New Zealand and South Africa squealing they should see if the game needs cleaning up.
