The Kiwis certainly haven’t decided to be all matey on the field. They must have produced the largest number of high shots in a three game series on record (yet mostly all went unpunished).

I thought we were a bit too nice at points considering the treatment we were getting but then we won the first two games so who cares. I doubt we’d be quite as mild mannered if the Aussies came over.

Sam Burgess probably wouldn't have been nice to them, particularly if one of his brothers got clobbered.

I understand the social media/modern world, but I also think the removal of the worst of the really nasty stuff that used to go on in the game (genuine coathanger high shots, use of elbows and fighting in general) probably means players have less reason to really dislike one another anyway.

I thought the first two tests were pretty intense and the kiwis were pretty dirty and looking for trouble. The patting on the back seems more sarcastic and looking for a reaction rather than being pally.

There's also the 21st century discipline factor.

I remember a time when almost every Test match used to start with a massive punch-up, which if nothing else, would whip the crowd into a frenzy.

But that rarely happens now. Players who trade on the biff just wouldn't last with modern refereeing and video surveillance.

Penalties are awarded for the slightest infraction, and you don't even need to get a red or yellow card to pick up a lengthy ban.

Whether that's a good thing, or bad, I don't know. It means the players get greater protection, but it reduces the gladiatorial atmosphere that used to pervade RL especially in the international arena.

Recently retired from playing the game after 20yrs at prop playing at various levels including internationally and semi pro before going back to amateur.

A lot of the players I played against at amateur I’ve played with and against and become good friends with some of them. Me personally I like to have a bit of a laugh with the opposing players, I find it makes for a much better game and I played better as well, always wanting to get one over on my mate. Id be lying if I said it never boiled over, because it did but we’d still have a laugh about it at games end or if we’d both been sent off; have a joke about it on our way back to the sheds.

However that’s amateur, in the paid ranks I’d expect all friendliness to be left at the sidelines and the players go to war. That’s not to say they should have a good old fashioned punch up every match (though I do bloody miss the biff) but there has to be a good level of aggression between the sets of players. Having said that there’s absolutely players on opposing sides who are very good friends whom I’d have thought would adapt a similar attitude to me in that you’d want to smash your mate to get one over on him.