Cheating claims rejected by Hart

All Black coach John Hart yesterday rejected claims by Springbok coach Nick Mallett that New Zealand players cheat, particularly at breakdown situations.

"I wouldn't call us intelligent cheats," he said, adding that Mallet was under pressure since the Springboks suffered record losses to the All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies in the past two weeks.

Mallett said the All Blacks were "intelligent cheats" while commented his inexperienced players were too naive.

"It goes back to our inability to cheat intelligently. A lot of players cheat intelligently," he said, mentioning All Black stars Josh Kronfeld and Jeff Wilson.

Mallett has, however, received a crucial vote of confidence despite South Africa's recent run of disastrous results.

"We are satisfied with the feedback given by Nick and are fully behind him in the build-up to the World Cup," South African Rugby Football Union chief executive Rian Oberholzer said after Mallett met SARFU's management committee yesterday. "There is no doubt he is the right man for the job. He has a very good track record and should not be judged solely on the last few results," Oberholzer said. Yesterday's meeting gave Oberholzer the green light to finalise negotiations with Mallett to extend his contract until 2001.

Meanwhile, Australia has opted to start Saturday's Tri-Nations international against New Zealand with their biggest and strongest front row.

Glenn Panoho returned to his starting position at loosehead prop with Dan Crowley, still suffering from a strained Achilles tendon, bracketed on the reserves bench with Andrew Blades, who is also troubled by a calf strain.

Panoho and Crowley have rotated as part-time props in each of the Wallabies' four Test wins this year with Panoho replaced by Crowley in the first half in the internationals against Ireland and England.

Panoho predicted an even tougher time from New Zealand's all-Otago Super 12 front row of Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver and Carl Hoeft in the first international to be played at Auckland's Eden Park under lights.

"Technically, I think they're a lot better. Actually I think they'll be a lot harder than the Springboks," Panoho said. Australian coach Rod Macqueen said yesterday he would wait until as late as possible before making a decision on Crowley and Blades. Otherwise, the team is unchanged from the side which thrashed South Africa in Brisbane last week.

NEW ZEALAND: J Wilson; C Cullen, A Ieremia, D Gibson, T Umaga; A Mehrtens, J Marshall; T Randell (capt), J Kronfeld, D Mika; R Brooke, N Maxwell; K Meeuws, A Oliver, C Hoeft. Replacements: J Lomu, T Brown, B Kelleher, A Blowers, R Willis, G Feek, M Hammett.

AUSTRALIA: M Burke; B Tune, D Herbert, N Grey, J Roff; T Horan, G Gregan; T Kefu, D Wilson (capt), M Cockbain; J Welborn, D Giffin; P Noriega, J Paul, G Panoho. Replacements: J Little, C Latham, C Whitaker, T Strauss, M Connors, D Crowley or A Blades, P Kearns.

Referee: D Bevan (Wales).