TRI-NATIONS:SOUTH AFRICA coach Peter de Villiers has attempted to defuse a row over comments he made about referees favouring the All Blacks in the first two Tri-Nations Tests for the benefit of next year's World Cup.

De Villiers was upset with the refereeing by Irish officials in the two Springboks defeats in New Zealand and unhappy a third referee from Ireland had been selected for today’s Test against Australia in Brisbane.

“I’ve got my own observations about the last two Tests, and I can’t say it in public,” the coach said on Australian television on Wednesday.

“But we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year, and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year.”

In statement released yesterday by the South Africa Rugby Union (SARU), however, de Villiers denied “in any manner” suggesting the All Blacks were being favoured because New Zealand was hosting the 2011 World Cup.

“While I have also expressed unhappiness over some refereeing issues, this is a separate matter altogether and has no bearing on what I said,” he said. “My comment during . . . the interview was based on the general view that part of the success of any World Cup event rests on the fact the host nation has a winning team. I regret this may have created the wrong impression.”

The row had threatened to overshadow the Springboks’ build-up to today’s meeting with Australia in Brisbane but captain John Smit insists the players remain fully focused on registering their first win of the tournament. “I think it’s probably helpful we don’t have too much time to get involved in the papers and websites when we’re losing,” he said. “I’m not too sure what’s going on and the only task we can really give ourselves is fixing what goes on the field.”

Adding to the scrutiny on the underperforming Springboks has been the significant media focus on their aggressive gameplan. But despite the visitors missing two of their first-choice players to suspension, Smit says labelling his side as dirty is unfair and does no justice to their world-class calibre.

According to the Wallabies camp, openside flanker David Pocock could be the key to their chances of victory as he is the only genuine ball-gatherer on the field.