Tony Ward has defended New Zealand duo Malakai Fekitoa and Sam Cane, who were both cited following the 21-9 victory over Ireland on Saturday.
There has been a huge media and public backlash following the game, with many questioning the integrity of the All Black pair. Cane’s tackle on Robbie Henshaw ended his involvement in the match, while Fekitoa was yellow carded for a tackle on Simon Zebo in the second half.
And RTÉ Sport’s Ward has come out in defence of the All Blacks, although welcoming the citings.
"You play the laws to the absolute limit and we're no different in that regard"
The former Irish international said: “I don’t think it’s any harm there is a citing so we can get to the root and have final justification, so to speak.
“I have to be honest, in both cases myself at the time with the naked eye, I didn’t think that either (tackle) was malicious.
“That said, say for example in the Sam Kane one, the bottom line is that we lost a key player (Henshaw) on the back of that. And yet technically I think the TMO and referee were right at the time.
“Equally, I didn’t think that Fekitoa’s tackle on Simon Zebo... that there was any real intent in it.
“At least we will get to the bottom of this and it will be done through the proper procedure and that in itself is no bad thing.
“But, as I say, my initial reaction was that they weren’t pre-planned, or pre-meditated if I can put it that way.”
When pressed as to weather the All-Blacks, who have been accused of heavy-handedness in some quarters following the bruising victory, had stepped over a line at the Aviva, Ward disagreed.
"International rugby with all teams, but New Zealand happen to be the very best at the moment - and we go back to the Richie McCaw days and people used to go on about how he cheated all the time -but you don't cheat!
"You play the laws to the absolute limit and we're no different in that regard. We will do, and do it aswell.
"You're pinged if the referee deems it to be illegal, and if he doesn't the so be it you just get on with it. So I don't have a huge issue here.
"I'd hate on the back of this us to become known as moaners."
