All Blacks: Wallabies great says photo reaction 'nonsense'

Graham Henry with his game plan yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Rugby commentator and former Wallabies player Peter FitzSimons says New Zealand Rugby has overreacted to a photo of an All Black playsheet that was leaked to Australia media.

"It's classic nonsense of rugby taking itself too seriously. It's only sport," Mr FitzSimons told Radio New Zealand.

He said that unless someone knows the idea behind the strategy put down on paper, it is too difficult to work out.

"If you've got somebody actually explaining what they mean, then they may make sense. But if you've got no knowledge, the squiggly little lines and bits of gibberish, they make no sense."

Mr FitzSimons said New Zealand should not believe the leak will hurt the All Blacks chances.

"If the Wallabies beat the All Blacks on Saturday night, it'll be because the Wallabies are playing better. It won't be because Robbie Deans gets out a magnifying glass and applies it to the photograph of squiggly little lines."

Scott Barbour's frame of All Blacks coach Graham Henry yesterday holding a page outlining tactics from scrum and lineout formations added an element of controversy to an otherwise mundane build-up to the Tri-Nations clash at Etihad Stadium after the image was reproduced - and analysed in minute detail - by Australian media outlets.

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen was measured in his response today, though management will express their disappointment to Barbour, who works for Getty Images, the official photo agency for the 2011 World Cup.

Hansen described Barbour's action as a "breach of trust".

"It's disappointing the photographer has broken the unwritten rule but you can't do much about it," he said.

"With any breach of trust you take your time and talk about it. It's not the end of the world. We will deal with that in our own way."

It is possible Barbour will not be welcome at the team's remaining training sessions.

Hansen denied publication of the image would seriously alter the All Blacks tactical approach as they seek to continue their unbeaten start to the Tri-Nations by beating the Wallabies for an eighth consecutive match.

"We won't have to change our tactics too much. There are a whole lot of things that are going to happen on Saturday night and I don't think one photo is going to make too much difference."

The Australian newspaper made the most concerted attempt to decipher the game plan, concluding pivot Matt Giteau and diminutive wing James O'Connor would be targeted in defence, hardly a ground-breaking tactic.

Limiting openside flanker David Pocock's influence at the breakdown was another unsurprising focal point.

Melbourne-based newspapers The Age and Herald Sun newspapers also published the image.

The Wallabies saw the photograph over breakfast this morning and downplayed its significance.

"I wouldn't read too much into it myself, it's just a picture of training," said assistant coach Jim Williams.

"Certain teams will be trying to put a bit of focus on the opposition but realistically it's about how you prepare and what you're going to do in the game, and pushing that forward during the week."

Barbour's photograph is the latest example of the All Blacks having concerns about their tactics being made available to the opposition.

In September 2008, Hansen accused an Australian television network of filming a closed training session and handing the tape over to the Wallabies camp - a claim they strenuously denied.

They were also security conscious before the Tri-Nations match against the Springboks in Durban last year, with TV3`s South African camera man removed from a training session.

- NZ Herald staff, NZPA