Payback comes at a cost to All Blacks

Paris seems the perfect location for the All Blacks to ditch the unseemly baggage that attached itself to their 21-9 win over Ireland in Dublin yesterday..

Normal service resumed for the world champions who, despite having Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa yellow carded, being clouted 14-4 in the penalty count and receiving a proverbial kicking for their rough-house tackling technique at Aviva Stadium, would feel satisfied at issuing payback following their 40-29 loss to the Irish a fortnight ago.

Injuries to fullback Ben Smith (compound fracture of a finger) and flanker Sam Cane (sprained ankle) are expected to force changes to the side that starts the final assignment of their year, against France next Sunday, but the All Blacks would still feel things are progressing in an upwards direction.

Making changes is something the selectors are going to have to take in their stride, with the obvious way to bog up the vacancy at the back being to shift Israel Dagg from the right wing to his preferred No 15 spot.

Being in France would have other benefits.

The All Blacks peeled the lid off a bucket of angry hornets when Ireland midfielder Robbie Henshaw had to be stretchered off the park because of a high tackle by Cane.

Fekitoa’s high hit on Irish left wing Simon Zebo’s head resulted in a yellow card, while earlier halfback Smith was sin binned for repeat infringements around the ruck.

As soon as the All Blacks left the field, the questions, in reference to the tackles, began.

Hansen, clearly, was irked and a post-match TV interview.

‘‘Do you want me to tell you we are a dirty side or something?’’ Hansen said. ‘‘Is that what you are saying, or …’’

Hansen was clearly unhappy with South African referee Jaco Peyper heavily favouring Ireland in the penalty count, saying consistency was required but not received.

While he said he couldn’t argue with the yellow cards, he was annoyed that in the case of Smith, who was given 10 minutes suspension for infringing near a ruck, it wasn’t a case of the ref looking both ways.

‘‘I would like to see some consistency throughout the game. Because I saw the same thing happen to us and no-one got penalised, let alone yellow carded.’’

Being based in France, away from the Anglo-saxon wordsmiths and talking heads, means the All Blacks shouldn’t be dogged by the subject as they prepare for their tour finale against France.

With just 80 minutes remaining in their year, the All Blacks know that whatever happens in Paris they can still pack up and go home and forget about footy for a while.

But they still should be careful over the coming week, because the high tackles by Cane and Fekitoa haven’t been received at all well.

The good news for Hansen is his team displayed the ruthlessness, and resolve, to keep a very good Irish side tryless.