Rugby: Diplomacy reigns in Hamilton

Springboks rugby captain John Smit has been playing diplomat, putting out fires lit by coach Peter de Villiers this week. Photo / Getty Images

A career in the diplomatic corps surely awaits Springboks rugby captain John Smit as he methodically put out fires lit by his coach Peter de Villiers this week.

The world's most prolific test skipper, Smit today unveiled peacemaking skills honed through years of immersion in the political hotbed that is South African rugby.

De Villiers prompted widespread indignation, even from New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, when he said his world champion side would travel late from Australia because there was nothing to do in Hamilton.

Just 18 hours after arriving, Smit was asked whether the city had "embraced" the Springboks.

"Absolutely ... whenever we get here we are well treated. The people enjoy having us and we enjoy being here," he said.

De Villiers lit another spark following last week's 6-21 loss to Australia in Brisbane by claiming that referees are now biased against his team because of their world No 1 status.

A clear giveaway was the body language of officials when awarding penalties against the Springboks, he said.

Smit did not believe his team were being targeted but was careful not to contradict his coach.

"I don't think we've ever seen a player play the perfect game, not miss a kick, not miss a throw, have a game full of good scrums and the same can be said of referees," Smit said.

"They've got a pretty stern challenge. The important thing to know is that we wouldn't be able to do what we do if it wasn't for their application and their passion to do what they do."

The man with the whistle tomorrow is Welshman Nigel Owens, who blew the All Blacks off the park with a 13-5 penalty count in their heavy loss to the Springboks at Durban last month.

Owens also brandished a contentious yellow card to lock Isaac Ross which swung the test's momentum before halftime.

"This week we'll have a referee that we've had before and the result I don't think will depend on how he blows, it will depend on how we rock up," Smit said.

"It's always going to be a contentious issue because he (referee) is always letting one country down in a test match. I think last week we played badly and the result was relevant because of how we played."

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw was careful not to criticise Owens' interpretations at Durban.

"It's all very well saying we didn't get the rub of the green last time but we were under pressure and didn't make the advantage line. That makes it tough to play," he said.

"If we can get those things right, it will make the breakdown a lot easier for us."

Test eve proved to be controversy-free, with de Villiers unavailable while his counterpart Graham Henry mysteriously missed the Friday press conference for the first time in his 70 tests in charge.

A team spokesman said there was nothing sinister behind the absence of Henry, who was not far away when McCaw spoke on the sideline at Waikato Stadium.

- NZPA