New Zealand
All Blacks warned of Europe's citing boundaries
November 8, 2013

All Blacks Cited On Recent Tours Of Europe

  • 2009 - Dan Carter: one-week ban for a high tackle against Wales
  • 2010 - Keven Mealamu: four-week ban for striking against England
  • 2012 - Adam Thomson: one-week ban for stomping against Scotland, extended to two after IRB appeal
  • 2012 - Andrew Hore: five-week ban for striking against Wales

Steve Hansen has reminded the All Blacks of the need to tread lightly in Europe to avoid the cards and citings that have marred their past three tours.

New Zealand kick-start their three-Test tour against France in Paris on Saturday, and they have been told by management to be sensible with their actions in a part of the world where their reputation as fair players has come under scrutiny.

"There's no doubt that history will show we have a lot more disciplinary hearings when we're up here, and we don't change how we play when we come up here," Hansen said. "Sometimes things happen, some people make mistakes and do things they wouldn't normally do. We've had the chat and we rely on athletes to take that chat on board."

Hansen suggests the citing boundaries are more sensitive in Europe than in SANZAR-run competitions, but he doesn't want to make excuses for his players.

"We just have to adapt to it, the same as we do with the clear difference in referee styles," he said. "We've got enough experience in the group for that to happen."

Follow live text commentary of the Test between France and New Zealand on Saturday, November 9 from 9am (NZDT), 7am (AEDT) and 8pm (GMT)

Steve Hansen is happy with the All Blacks' Test preparations
© AAP

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