MOST RIDICULOUS ACCUSATION

There were several all on the same theme this year, which was that the All Blacks were a protected species, earning favourable outcomes from referees.

That the All Blacks were the most carded Tier One nation in 2017 seemed to have escaped the notice of those peddling this myth, and it is probably no surprise that the winner in this category has plenty of form for whining about the All Blacks.

Former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns said after the Wallabies 37-20 loss in Yokohama which saw hooker Tolu Latu yellow carded for slapping Codie Taylor: “That yellow card, I’ve got to say, I’m consistently frustrated — and I know world rugby is, the other teams except New Zealand — frustrated with the free ride New Zealand get from referees globally.”