Richard Loe: Questions remain over Henjak spat

The ruckus about the Australian bar incident in South Africa ahead of the real shocker the Wallabies had against the Springboks was probably a source of embarrassment to the Australians - but not because of what happened or why. It was when and where. What were they doing in a bar at 4am the day before a test match?

I can't say whether the Wallabies' terrible play had anything to do with the incident but I'm sure they won't have played that badly in the match being played overnight.

In terms of sinning, what happened in the bar was pretty minor. Replacement halfback Matt Henjak threw some ice and he and winger Lote Tuqiri had a slight altercation. Big deal. What's embarrassed them - and why Henjak has been sent home - was the fact that they were on the wild juice before a test match.

People don't always realise that a rugby team is a strange beast. It is composed of 15-26 people who have to be together for team unity but which includes individuals who do not like or would not mix with other individuals in the team in other circumstances. A rugby team is just like any other collection of people - they have likes and dislikes individually but know they have to work together as a team to succeed.

I have seen, over the years, plenty of examples in the All Blacks where players have to bite their tongue and get on with it when they are wearing the All Black jersey. But, when everyone goes back to their provinces, they then used to knock the crap out of each other. Auckland and Canterbury clashes were noted for this.

The example that comes to mind is Andy Earl and the Whetton brothers, Gary and Alan. It's no secret that Andy didn't have much time for Gary - and yet Andy, Alan and Zinzan Brooke played alongside Gary in the 1987 World Cup and performed very well together. And you wouldn't get more different personalities than those.

The point I am making is that Henjak and Tuqiri having a spat is of little significance. That kind of thing can well up any time, given the human differences that exist in a rugby team.

What is significant is that the team were whooping it up in a bar - something that suggests either the team or the management, or both, haven't got their eye on the ball. I guess we'll see whether that's right with the result of the match overnight and as the Tri Nations proceeds.

For my money, the South Africans - even though they may win this first encounter - look a bit lethargic. By that, I mean that they are big but they don't look particularly fast or skilled. Jake White has selected an even bigger team to go up against the Wallabies but they don't have a lot of agility and they may not want to play the All Blacks with a pack that averages 115kg or more. They may want a bit more skill and speed for that one.

As for the All Blacks, they'll be looking to give game time to players in positions they want to add depth to - like lock, where I think James Ryan will get game time; halfback, where every step Piri Weepu takes will be a big step; and at centre, where I'd expect Conrad Smith to get some exposure.

However, I think the All Blacks will only give the bench extended game time if things are going well. Then they will let the 'depth' players on but I would say Weepu, for example, will get only 15 minutes or so rather than the half-a-game Kelleher and Marshall were having.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY