Western Force coach John Mitchell has come under fire for handing out the Springboks' jerseys and for giving stirring speech before last Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against the Wallabies.

Former Wallabies captain Mark Ella questioned wether Mitchell, a New Zealander, should be providing ammunition for the opposition as an Australian-based Super 14 coach.

"I was surprised to hear John Mitchell had presented the Springboks jerseys," Ella told The Australian newspaper.

"He has a responsibility to develop Australian rugby and his total allegiance should be with the Wallabies."

It was Bok speedster Bryan Habana who revealed that Mitchell's "stern words" helped motivate the South Africans as they took a near unassailable Tri-Nations lead after four years in the All Blacks' clutches.

Habana also stressed that Mitchell is employed by the Western Force and not by the Australian Rugby Union and the Force also gave Mitchell permission to hand out the jerseys while Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who was Mitchell's assistant with the All Blacks at the 2003 World Cup, also approved it

"My view is that it is an honour to present an international team's jumper," Western Australia's Vern Reid said.

"John asked me for permission. I said it was fine as long as he asked Robbie Deans and he was happy. No team wins a game because of a two-minute speech a day before a test. It's a brick in the wall, but it doesn't turn victory into losing and a loss into victory."

Deans confirmed he was made aware of Mitchell presenting the Springboks jerseys.

Two other former Wallabies captains, Simon Poidevin and Andrew Slack, supported Mitchell's right to hand out the jerseys.

Said Slack: "They could ask Charles Manson to hand out the jerseys and it wouldn't offend my sensibilities.

"It would not make me think that John Mitchell was not committed to the Australian side."