Rugby: Bledisloe Cup clash becoming IQ test

By Wynne Gray

Memo Derek Bevan. Disregard Nick Mallett's accusations that the All Blacks are "intelligent cheats." Let the game run. Signed: David Wilson, Wallaby captain.

That message came through loud, clear and in repeated tones yesterday from the flanker and Australian skipper as his team arrived in Aucland to prepare for tomorrow's Bledisloe Cup test.

Assertions from the Springbok coach citing Jeff Wilson and Josh Kronfeld as prime culprits in slowing down play drew scoffs from Wilson, who has had many duels with the All Blacks and, in particular, Kronfeld.

"I was surprised. It is just ridiculous to call him a cheat," said Wilson.

"If you can get away with a little bit in the ruck and maul that's not cheating - that's just doing what you should be doing. All sides are doing it and it is up to the referee to police it if it is blatantly obvious.

"But slowing the ball is a skill in itself. I would not go that far to call him a cheat."

It was refreshing to hear Wilson bring a little sanity to the topic. All top international rugby teams play right to the law; they always test the referee. That is why they are such quality teams.

Later it was like a mutual appreciation society as Wilson spoke about his admiration for Kronfeld's style and the challenge he always felt when they played against each other.

"You have to be on your game to be able to compete against him. "He is an intelligent footballer," added Wilson.

It was a comment which pointedly cut out one of Mallett's descriptions and would have earned the Australian a brownie point with Kronfeld's mother. The All Black flanker found Mallett's comments hilarious.

"Well, it's one of the more interesting things I've been described as .... I like the intelligent part," said Kronfeld. "Mum will be pleased as it's the first time I have ever been viewed as having any IQ at all.

"Jeff Wilson is stoked as well because he's never been called a cheat before. Nonetheless, I don't think I've ever been a person to lie on a tackle and I really do pride myself in getting on my feet to play the ball."

Wilson said he and Kronfeld worked in similar ways. They tried to get to the breakdown first and create turnover ball. They also tried to force penalties from the opposition holding on too long.

"Josh is a good bloke. I have a lot of respect for his play and think he is a very clean player."

Wilson stopped short of inviting himself round to Kronfeld's hotel for a cosy chat but his respect for the All Black No 7 would shine through any Blackout. He was not so compliant, though, in discussing comments from John Drake.

The former All Black prop suggested Kronfeld would have a massive advantage in getting to breakdowns out wide tomorrow night. He based that assessment on Springbok Andre Ventre shading Wilson last week.

"I think his success in the match exposed Australian openside David Wilson's lack of pace," he told the New Zealand Herald. Drake did not stop there. He picked the All Blacks' front row, locks and Kronfeld to all give New Zealand a significant edge.

"I did not think we played that badly in the three leadup tests and against South Africa," said Wilson. "But that is his opinion.

"He is a New Zealander and he is talking up New Zealand and we would not expect anything else."

Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen accepted his scrum would be targeted tomorrow but was undeterred about the lack of work his squad had done in that area this week.

Match practice and concentration were the best scrummaging antidotes for the All Blacks, who would have noticed the Wallaby wobbles against the Boks.

"They do not have to be reminded that if you disrupt the opposition scrum you have gone a long way towards winning the game."