All Blacks suggest refs needed to get fitter

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All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has warned referees they might need to get fitter to keep up with the increasing pace of test rugby.

The All Blacks have made no secret of their desire to play a high-tempo game as they work towards the next World Cup, believing the new rules encourage that.

There were clear signs of that approach in last weekend’s four-tries-to-none demolition of the Springboks in Auckland and the All Blacks won’t be taking the foot off the accelerator in Saturday night’s rematch in Wellington.

Referees have been a recurring theme with the All Blacks coaching staff this week. Head coach Graham Henry again raised the prospect of rugby following league's lead and having two referees officiate.

Asked his thoughts on how rugby's officiating can keep pace with the high-octane game, Smith said: "It's just like the players - get fitter.

"The ball in play is around 40 minutes now consistently in the test matches we have played this year. If you talk to tight forwards they will tell you how the game has changed markedly with the amount of running they've got to do.

"Just as the players do, the referees are going to have to make sure they are right up there fitness-wise.

"I see it's been suggested that we get two of them (referees) on the track. Those ideas might be good ideas too.''

Smith obviously likes the improvements to the game this year, moving it away from the kick-fest that had dominated play last season.

But the new law interpretations meant everyone involved needed to be on the same page.

"I think the game is going in the direction that people want it to go in. There can't be too many complaints from people watching the game at the moment and that's great.

"But we've got to make sure that the fitness levels of everyone go up so we can continue playing it like that."

The Springboks seemed to take a limited approach into the Eden Park match and were left bamboozled by the All Blacks’ brilliance and willingness to attack from anywhere.

The Boks, meanwhile, went with many of the methods that made them so strong last year. They tried to go up the middle and they also employed their kick and chase tactics.

That played into the hands of the All Blacks. The New Zealand forwards loved the challenge in front of them and outmuscled the Boks while the All Blacks backs were happy to run virtually every kick back at the South Africans.

Smith suggested the Boks were too clever to be caught out again and they would surely modify their game for the Cake Tin.

"We've seen in the Super 14 that they've got multi-skilled players and they can play a different game," he said.

"You've got to suggest that maybe they can come and play that on Saturday. Certainly you go in and predict they are going to do certain things but you've also got to expect that there will be some unpredicted events that will take place and how you handle that is one of the big factors in the result."

- © Fairfax NZ News