Ref to calm in All Blacks, Springboks

[KenyaQuin]

Ref to calm in All Blacks, Springboks
July 10, 2008 - 2:09PM

Rival Springboks and All Blacks coaches are to meet referee Matt Goddard before Saturday's second rugby clash in an attempt to stop an escalating war of words spilling onto the field.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith fired the latest shot in the verbal sparring match on Thursday when he accused the South Africans of trying to influence Goddard with their criticism of the way the All Blacks won the first Test 19-8.

Sniping from both camps following the intensely physical encounter has forced International Rugby Board (IRB) referees boss Paddy O'Brien to call them together before Goddard on Friday in an attempt to ease the tension.

Accusations this week have included...

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[Flamethrower]

I think that's a shame. They should have been left to sort it out on the field