Springbok Captain slams All Blacks “preferential treatment”

World Cup winning Springbok captain John Smit is furious at what he sees as the "preferential treatment' handed out to the All Blacks.

Before flying home to South Africa to have his injured groin treated, a furious Smit did not hold back in talking about an incident in which he was lifted and dropped by All Blacks lock Brad Thorn.

Thorn was suspended for a week for "unsportsmanlike conduct", ruling him out of the second Tri-Nations clash in Dunedin this Saturday.

It was a charge and punishment that left 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning skipper Smit shaking his head.

"Just imagine (Springboks lock) Bakkies Botha doing something similar to (All Blacks captain) Richie McCaw. World Rugby would have come to a standstill," Smit told South African journalists today.

"Yes, I'm angry. I'm really not happy about having to sit in South Africa and watch the Springboks beat the All Blacks in Dunedin."

His strong comments raised memories of the fallout three years ago when touring British and Irish Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll was ruled out of the series early in the first Test at due to a lifting tackle.

All Blacks tacklers Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu were never punished, which drew the ire of O'Driscoll and Lions coach Clive Woodward.

"One almost gets the idea that anyone who is not from New Zealand does not have the same rights as someone who plays for the All Blacks," Smit said.

"I was suspended for six weeks after a Test match in France for running into someone with my elbow held in front of me. It was not nearly as nasty as what happened to me last Saturday."

Charges of foul play during last Saturday's Test have been made by both camps.

The All Blacks believe their star first five-eighth Daniel Carter was a target for foul play, particularly from Springboks opposite Butch James.

Smit went on to label All Blacks coach Graham Henry a “whinger” labelling Henry’s post-Test insinuations that Carter was “targeted” by the Boks as laughable.

"A few seasons ago, Graham Henry asked everyone not to tackle Richie McCaw” explained Smit. “Now Richie is injured and Henry is asking everyone not to tackle Dan Carter.

"If everyone can only realise no one is above the Rugby laws, we can all move forward."

Smit was also unhappy with what he saw as All Black illegalities at scrum time.

"I kept mentioning it (to the referee) while I was on the field," Smit said. "I think he (Australia’s own Stuart Dickinson) got tired of me saying it all the time and he eventually decided to award a penalty to us."

Expect some fireworks, and possible retribution, when the two sides clash again this Saturday.

The Springboks then travel on to Perth where they meet the Qantas Wallabies at Subiaco Oval on July the 19^th.

Some tickets for this match are still available from Ticketmaster on 1300 136 122 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au.