Fired-up Henry labels Dwyer a "puppet"

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All Black coach Graham Henry has returned fire on World Cup-winning mentor Bob Dwyer, questioning "whose puppet" the Australian had become.

Henry's comments followed barbs fired by Dwyer towards Richie McCaw, claiming test referees allowed him to get away with illegal play at the breakdown as they were too intimidated to crackdown on him.

He also said the champion openside flanker had replaced Sean Fitzpatrick in terms of being the world's "No 1 referee".

However, Henry, in Cardiff as the All Blacks prepare to face Wales on Sunday morning (New Zealand time), said Dwyer was way off the mark.

"I am just wondering whose puppet he is," Henry said.

"I did not think he would be a puppet for someone else, but you get surprised in this game from time to time."

Dwyer made his initial comments in the UK on the eve of the All Blacks' eventual 22-3 win over Ireland last weekend.

The Australian, who coached the Wallabies to 1991 World Cup glory, said McCaw was a great player.

But he added: "McCaw gets away with illegality partly because he has taken over the mantle of the No 1 referee in the world from Sean Fitzpatrick. There is an absolutely widespread belief outside New Zealand that this is the case.

"We think he is allowed by referees to make his first point of entry (at the breakdown) at which he claims a shot at the opposition ball from the side rather than going in through what is called 'the rear gate'.

"He then swings the rest of his body around so he finishes up in an illegal position, shutting off any opponent from getting the ball. Illegally, he has denied the opposition a shot at possession.

"On your own ball, referees seem to allow this entry from the side."

Such criticisms of McCaw are nothing new.

And Welsh coach Warren Gatland has since said McCaw should take the comments as compliment, saying all the world's best players came in for such scrutiny.

McCaw himself has scoffed at the latest questions asked about his playing style.

"I don't even worry about it anymore," he said.

"I go into games believing I am doing what is the right thing. You do what you are allowed to do.

"I guess it's how it's going to be interpreted. The breakdown is really simple when you look at the laws, but, because it happens all at once, the referee is only able to look at one guy. He can't see everything.

"That's why I don't envy referees. They have got the power there and you have got to adapt to how they are refereeing it quickly."

Uncertainty at the breakdown, and differing rule interpretations, saw All Black forwards coach Steve Hansen make a call earlier this week for two referees to be used at the highest-level.

It was an idea which McCaw doubted would work, while conceding often the breakdown was a "lottery".

Meanwhile, McCaw predicted Sunday's clash against the Gatland-coached Wales would be a significant step-up from what the All Blacks have faced to date on the UK leg of their season-ending tour.

The Six Nations champions are desperate to seek a Tri Nations scalp during the November international window.

They came close against South Africa two weeks ago and have not beaten the All Blacks for 55 years.

"They possess a greater threat than we had had up to now," McCaw said.

"Some of the games I have played against Wales have been pretty tough with 2004 being an example. Let them close and it can be a hell of a long day.

"2004 went down to the wire, it was a classic.

"I think the forward battle on (Sunday) is going to be a step up. Wales have always been a more physical challenge than Ireland. Some of the games against Wales have been pretty physical."