21st August 2014 13:51
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Not pulling punches: Jonathan Kaplan
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Former Test referee Jonathan Kaplan has waded into the debate around the All Blacks' recent history of receiving yellow cards.
The most experienced official in the history of Test rugby has suggested that international referees have grown wary of New Zealand using "marginal tactics" to avoid conceding tries when under pressure.
The South African has come out in defence of his heavily-criticised countryman Jaco Peyper, who handed out two yellow cards to Steve Hansen's team during last weekend's Bledisloe Cup draw with the Wallabies in Sydney.
The All Blacks have now copped seven yellow cards in their last ten Tests.
"New Zealand were again guilty of marginal tactics under pressure ... are the referees finally beginning to understand what needs to be done to eliminate this constant in their game when they come under pressure in their 22m area".
Frenchman Romain Poite will referee this weekend's Bledisloe Cup rematch at Eden Park, where Peyper will be one of the assistants, alongside fellow South African Stuart Berry. Another South African, Shaun Veldsman, will be the television match official.
