'I would say most goalkickers have done that at some point in their time'
The All Blacks are standing behind Beauden Barrett's ploy to roll the ball closer to the goalposts before a penalty kick, which sparked pockets of outrage in South Africa.
Five-eighth Barrett was picked up by television cameras promoting the ball about 2m closer to its target ahead of a successful three-pointer during the second half of last Saturday's drawn Rugby Championship Test in Wellington.
Springboks supporters roasted two-time world player of the year Barrett on social media for the deed after Australian referee Nic Berry had turned his back, with many declaring it an example of the All Blacks bending the rules or, simply, cheating.
Coach Steve Hansen didn't deny Barrett's intentions but said it was a minor case of gamesmanship which was ubiquitous in the sport.
"Look, you guys (media) have watched a lot of footy from club level right to the very highest level; I would say most goalkickers have done that at some point in their time," Hansen said.
"Is it right? Probably not, but they all do it.
"Is it any different than when you get a penalty and kick for touch and end up taking two strides past the mark to kick it out? It's just what happens in footy."
Hansen said there were more pressing issues in rugby to address, both on and off the field.
- AAP
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Nz should have won. I didn't watch the game, but the ref was at fault and the bounce of the ball and the Bokke used the Bomb squad and the Bokke slow the game down and the Bokke scrum. They should remove the scrum. The Bokke are to strong. Not fair. Nz should have won
Go to commentsWere the Baby Boks part of this game or did the Baby Blacks play themselves?🤔 That man Bin Smuth once again does a little write-up on the game and it is like 95% about the Baby Blacks🤣 Glad he ends off with the Baby Blacks were actually in cruise control for most of the game and weren’t actually playing for the win WTF🤣🤣 Maybe he was expecting the Baby Blacks to run rampant….
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