All Blacks applaud hard-line stance by refs

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SEE YA: Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell is sent off by referee Craig Joubert.

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An upbeat All Blacks welcomed the hard-nosed stance that referees have adopted in this year's Tri-Nations.

New Zealand dished out a seven try mauling of Australia in Melbourne last night and edged closer towards being crowned Tri-Nations champions.

While the match will be remembered as a free ranging affair, referee Craig Joubert's influence was palpable.

The South African whistle-blower red-carded recalcitrant Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell early in the second half.

Mitchell had already spent 10 minutes on Joubert's naughty chair in the first 40 as had All Blacks prop Owen Franks.

Both Robbie Deans and Graham Henry agreed his decision changed the course of the match.

Not that the All Blacks were complaining mind.

In fact hooker Keven Mealamu welcomed the crackdown.

Mealamu, who turned in another outstanding performance, said both sides were cognisant Joubert had "drawn a line in the sand".

Anyone who dared cross it did so at their peril.

"It is a trend at the moment so we just have to put it back on the players to make sure we are squeaky clean," he said.

"Over the last couple of tests the referees seem to have been a lot tougher with the cards. We just have to acknowledge that that's the way it is, and be more disciplined."

Mealamu's views were shared by few fans at Etihad Stadium.

The Melbourne faithful were miffed with Joubert's arbitrary decision making.

However, their calls for clemency fell on deaf ears elsewhere.

All Blacks wing Cory Jane said: "I heard him say just before halftime when he was talking to the captains that he was trying to let the game flow. So the guys that did the naughty things probably deserved what they got.

"It is a test match and there has to be a line in the sand if guys are going to try and deny the other team opportunities. So, it is not really the referees fault; it is the players. They are the ones trying to walk the line."

Jane's empathy could not disguise the fact that Joubert had a mixed night at the office.

The Hurricanes wing set up Mil Muliaina's first try with an outstanding chip kick while under duress.

However, Muliaina was in front of Jane when he toed the ball ahead.

Joubert, metres from the action, inexplicably missed the offside.

If Robbie Deans was angered he refused to take the bait when quizzed last night.

"I don't want to comment on his decision but it was damaging," he said.

"Once we went to 14 men we were playing for pride because there was the potential for it to blow-out. The boys showed a lot of courage. But essentially the contest was over at that point"

- © Fairfax NZ News