The cheating claim - frame-by-frame

On the eve of the first test between the Lions and All Blacks Sir Clive Woodward, that man of unshakeable self-belief, spouted a remarkable anecdote.

He said the rugby world was behind his side, quoting messages of support from British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Springbok coach Jake White.

It was a great example of three being a crowd. But hardly the world.

So this week when White - himself high on self-belief as his side defend a hot home record - claimed the All Blacks deliberately concede free kicks at lineout time, it came time to get out the videotapes for some frame-by-frame analysis.

The lineout took on special importance in that first test at Christchurch when during the build-up Woodward announced he'd trucked Wales assistant, and well-known Aussie stirrer, Scott Johnson to New Zealand to help the Lions unsettle and decode the All Blacks from the sideline.

It didn't take long for the tactic to emerge. With just 17 minutes gone the Lions were complaining about All Black numbers in the lineout.

Although it wasn't the All Blacks who were unsettled.

The Lions had already lost their first two throws and now had to win from their own again on their goal line.

They pulled out of the dive and even managed to win their next two, but it all went pear-shaped again in the 24th minute when Ali Williams jumped, and the Lions didn't, for Irish hooker Shane Byrne's throw and bolted 22m to score a try.

It wasn't until the 27th minute that French referee Joel Jutge could find fault with the All Blacks for numbers in the lineout - on a Lions throw at halfway - and awarded a free kick. And that was the only time the All Blacks were called for numbers in the 21-3 demolition-by-set-piece superiority.

Fast forward to Wellington for the second test where the referee was Australian Andrew Cole.

This week White said Cole, in charge of tomorrow's South Africa-All Black test, had on the eve of the Cake Tin encounter been "very aware of the situation" of the home side deliberately having more numbers in the lineout on the opposition throw. But it seems Cole had little cause for concern because the first time he pinged the All Blacks at the lineout was at 22 minutes when Chris Jack pulled someone down.

Six minutes into the second half came the most telling evidence against White's claim this week that "they're [All Blacks] more than content to give away the free kick and defend that situation than to defend the lineout".

The Lions won a throw 15m from the All Blacks' line. Cole asked the All Blacks, "Who's halfback, who's halfback," as Lions hooker Steve Thompson prepared to throw. No change in the All Blacks' numbers and no whistle for an infringement. Just a minute later the Lions had a throw 2m from the All Blacks' line.

Cole policed again, telling All Black flanker Richie McCaw to "stay out of the lineout" and not to lift. The Lions won the ball and set up a drive.

Four minutes after that and 5m from the All Blacks' line, the Lions had another lineout that passed Cole's inspection. The All Blacks had by then defended three Lions throws to the lineout within 15m of their goal line without being penalised for numbers.

South African stickler Jonathan Kaplan got the whistle for the final roll out at Eden Park.

Herald columnist John Drake, broadcasting for Sky Sport, picked up Kaplan's intent after 23 minutes, saying: "Kaplan at lineout time is being very strict on numbers. Lot's of talk after the first test the All Blacks managed to sneak an extra player into the lineout."

Kaplan pulled up the All Blacks for numbers twice in the space of three minutes in the first half. Both times the Lions were throwing into the lineout in their own half. And that was it.

So, there you have it. Just over 240 minutes of footy. Three free kicks against the All Blacks for numbers in the lineout and never in their own half. It's the small difference between self-belief and being believable.