Elsom calls on referee to watch breakdown

Australia skipper Rocky Elsom has urged South African referee Mark Lawrence to adopt a zero-tolerance policy at the breakdown when his side meet New Zealand tonight to ensure a free-flowing contest.

The Wallabies scored a points decision over South Africa in the tackle-zone in Bloemfontein last weekend, allowing their fleet-footed backs to run riot on the way to a historic victory on the highveld.

But Elsom concedes the All Blacks' uncanny knack of slowing down opposition ball at the breakdown is a major obstacle the Wallabies must overcome if they are to beat the Kiwis for the first time in two years this weekend.

"I think the big difference is New Zealand's ability to slow the ball at the breakdown," Elsom said when asked to compare the All Blacks and Springboks on Friday.

"I think that you saw both games flow in South Africa because the contest was a lot faster at the breakdown.

"Both sides' on-ballers either got it or didn't reasonably quickly, and so that's going to change the dynamic of the game because with a slower breakdown a lot of things change."

Asked if referees can do more to ensure Richie McCaw and co operate within the laws of the game, Elsom replied: "I guess one thing is if you look over the course of the Tri Nations the number of yellow cards at the breakdown has been pretty well non existent.

"So I guess that's always the referee's call but looking back I guess you'd say it's surprising that there hasn't been many at the breakdown."

Despite losing every penalty count in their five Tri Nations fixtures this season, prop Owen Franks is the only All Blacks player to be issued a yellow card.

In the All Blacks' Wellington win against the Springboks earlier in the campaign, Irish referee Alain Rolland penalised the Kiwis three times for slowing the ball at the breakdown.

On the fourth occasion issued an official warning which caused an outcry from Australian and South African onlookers who have both seen had at least two players sent to the sin bin for similar offences throughout the tournament.

"It's not really for me to tell the referee how to referee, I'm sure they get plenty of people doing that already," a diplomatic Elsom said.

"But obviously we want the game to flow. We want it to be open and expansive, we don't want it turning into a slug fest where every time you take the ball it turns into a bit of a car accident with bodies everywhere."

Elsom admits he is unsure what impact the absence of fly-half Dan Carter, who is recovering from ankle surgery, will have on the way the All Blacks play.

But he has no doubt McCaw, who will break Sean Fitzpatrick's record for most Tests as an All Blacks captain when he leads the Kiwis onto the field for the 52nd time, will again be a key figure in the clash.

"He's one of their best players and has been for a long time," Elsom said of the 29-year-old.

"The influence that he has at the breakdown for whatever reason is always a telling part in most of the matches that he's plays in, so that's an area for us to address."