All Blacks coach Graham Henry believes Springbok lock Bakkies Botha is 'lucky he didn't get more than nine weeks' for his head butt on Jimmy Cowan in New Zealand's 32-12 triumph at Eden Park.
SANZAR judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan considered Botha's tarnished record before giving the brutal Bulls enforcer his marching orders in Auckland on Sunday. Botha will cool his temper until September 4 this year, ruling him out for the entire Tri Nations.
"I'm not surprised," Henry said of the suspension. "He's probably lucky he didn't get more than nine weeks. It's not part of the game and it has been dealt with correctly."
The incident happened after Cowan held Botha back while the pair were chasing a kick through in the first minute of opening Tri Nations Test. The 68-Test veteran was also yellow cared for slowing the ball down five metres out from his own line.
Henry said injury had struck three All Blacks players after the physical affair.
Utility Richard Kahui had sustained a shoulder injury and was 'not good'. He would have scans in Wellington on Monday.
Wing Joe Rokocoko had a hamstring complaint and Cowan had pulled up with an abdominal strain. No cover had been called in yet.
The All Blacks coaches expected the team to perform well, but the end result was more than satisfying.
Henry moved swiftly to downplay the clinical display against the world champions.
"We expected to play well last night, but 32-12 is a wow," Henry said with a grin. "We're surprised by the magnitude of the result. The score-line was blown out of proportion. I'm sure things will be more realistic next week."
"We'll look at what the Springboks brought to the game that we didn't think they were going to bring. We'll get our feet back on the ground and see what alterations we need to make."
Conceding 12 penalties (to South Africa's five) was one area New Zealand could improve.
"They'll be a wounded animal next week, and they'll play accordingly. They're a quality side with bright players and they're well coached. They'll improve immensely, so it will be a more difficult game [in Wellington]."
The 2010 law interpretations had improved the game immensely and there was less emphasis on the high ball, compared to last year, Henry said.
Referees' fitness was an issue as the ball was in play a huge amount of time, which put a lot of pressure on the officials to keep up. Henry said this caused consideration for referee substitutions.