Crazy Stat Regarding The All Black’s Penalty To Yellow Card Ratio

This stat is absolutely crazy.

Much has been said of the All Blacks cynical performance against Ireland this weekend. It’s fair to say Ireland simply weren’t clinical enough themselves on the day and deserved to lose, but that’s a different matter.

The fact is New Zealand gave away a lot of cheap penalties and were careless in their challenges on the Irish player’s, putting their welfare at risk. Both Simon Zebo and Robbie Henshaw were hit with particularly nasty high challenges that resulted in the latter being stretchered off.

Upon viewing Cane’s challenge many have suggested it warranted at least a yellow. Fekitoa’s challenge resulted in the centre being sin-binned but for many should have ended up in him getting his marching orders.

Matt Williams was a guest on Second Captains this week discussing the game, and produced a brilliant stat that really makes you think. A couple years back he did some research on the All Blacks and how they are disciplined for giving away penalties in comparison to their souther hemisphere rivals, South Africa and Australia.

• For every 11 penalties South Africa gave away they got a yellow card.

• For every 12 penalties Australia gave away they got a yellow card.

• For every 43 penalties New Zealand gave away they got a yellow card.

That is insane. 43 penalties in comparison to 11 and 12. Who say’s the All Blacks don’t get away with playing dirty?