All Blacks weigh up 'Al Qaeda threat'

New Zealand wary of South African 'situation'

They are many questions the All Blacks need to ask themselves in the wake of their 23-18 defeat to Australia in Sydney - including whether or not they should risk travelling to Johannesburg for their date with the Springboks on Saturday.

According to New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the All Blacks have been notified that their game at Ellis Park could be targeted by Al Qaeda terrorists.

The government warning comes following the arrest of two South African nationals in Pakistan who are suspected of having links to Al Qaeda.

The two detainees apparently told Pakistani police of plans to destroy various sites in their home country.

"All we can say is that Foreign Affairs and the other agencies are considering very seriously any suggestion of a security threat in South Africa in case any threat could affect the All Blacks or their families or any other travelling New Zealanders," said MFAT spokesman Jonathan Schwass.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller acknowledged receipt of the warning, saying that the security of the All Blacks would be paramount to their deliberations.

"Media articles in South Africa suggest there may be a threat to the match to be held next Saturday at Ellis Park between the All Blacks and Springboks - and also a general threat about security in South Africa," he said.

"The threats make reference to tourists and certain events, one of which was specifically the Tri-Nations match at Ellis Park."

New Zealand coach Graham Henry revealed that the players had been ordered to attend a meeting following their loss to the Wallabies to decide whether or not they should proceed with their travel plans.

"There will be a meeting to discuss the situation and we'll go from there," said Henry.

"The players have been told about a problem over there and there was no detail just that there was a problem that needed to be addressed and the New Zealand Rugby Union has addressed that and got some information.

"But I can't give you any more detail than that because I don't know any.

"We're just waiting for the information and we'll meet as a group and discuss and go from there and I'm sure we'll get expert advice."

The Wallabies - who play the Boks one week later in Durban - also revealed that they ate taking government advice on whether they should travel.

"We're well aware of the situation and we're taking advice from the government on whether we should go or not," said Australia coach Eddie Jones.

"As a team we're certainly keen to go and play South Africa but we have to take the best advice."

But Johan Prinsloo of SA Rugby played down the threat, insisting that the touring teams would be guaranteed a safe visit to South Africa.

"I am actually very, very surprised to hear this," said Prinsloo. "There has been no communication with me and we certainly have not advised them that it is unsafe to travel here.

"We have seen that these stories [of terror attacks on South Africa] are not quite correct - and anyway our security is the best you can get.

"I would be very surprised if Australia and New Zealand took a decision like that."

The All Blacks are schedule to touch down Johannesburg on Sunday.