Rugby News round-upNew Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu will today be called to account officially for a tackle on Ireland's Gordon D'Arcy during Saturday's Test at Lansdowne Road. Nonu was cited by the match commissioner, Douglas Hunter of Scotland, within the 50-hour deadline for what has been labelled, in some quarters, a spear tackle.
The New Zealander lifted D'Arcy into the air and threw him to the ground in an incident that appeared clumsy and dangerous rather than malicious, and certainly not premeditated. The Irish centre did require treatment but was fit to continue.
South African referee Jonathan Kaplan might have prevented any citing had he responded at the time, but rather than give a card the official simply issued a warning.
This comes a matter of weeks after the IRB spoke of a desire to eradicate spear tackles and their ilk from the sport.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry expressed his displeasure at the tackle immediately after the match, but said he believed it wasn't done with intent to harm.
His Irish counterpart, Eddie O'Sullivan, also articulated his unhappiness at the incident, but pointed out that Ireland would not be pursuing the matter and he was content to leave it in the hands of the citing commissioner.
Hunter decided Nonu should be brought before a hearing convened by the Six Nations committee, which will be held in a London hotel this evening.
Ireland captain Simon Easterby took a limited part in training yesterday despite suffering a perforated lip in the 45-7 defeat to the All Blacks. The Llanelli flanker required stitches inside and outside the lip. He is expected to be available for Ireland's Test against Australia at Lansdowne Road this Saturday.
Scrumhalf Peter Stringer, who hobbled out of Lansdowne Road on crutches with a bruised calf following the New Zealand game, is also expected to be in contention when O'Sullivan names the team for the match at lunch-time today.
Ulster prop Justin Fitzpatrick, called in to train with the squad last week, has been less fortunate. He is reported to have broken his hand in an accident at home.
The unfortunate Fitzpatrick's place in the extended squad has gone to Connacht's Ray Hogan. O'Sullivan trained with 31 players at his disposal yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Australians nursed a couple of injury concerns as they settled into their north Dublin base at the Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links.
Matt Giteau, who dropped down to the bench for the 26-16 loss to England at the weekend, hurt his knee after coming on as a replacement and has been ruled out of Saturday's game. He is also doubtful for the final match of Australia's tour against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday week.
Giteau had replaced wing Mark Gerrard with about 10 minutes remaining, but picked up his injury and was hobbling when England claimed their match-winning try through wing Mark Cueto.
There was better news for Matt Dunning, who suffered what was first feared to be a serious neck injury against England. Dunning was stretchered off following the collapse of a scrum in the 69th minute.
Australian team doctor Warren McDonald said that all the right procedures and precautions had been followed and that Dunning was in good health.
"Matt complained of a sore neck after the scrum collapsed, so we took every precaution and steps necessary to ensure his safety.
"He had an X-ray at the ground, was up walking in the dressing-room soon after the match, and further scans this evening have cleared him of any major injury."
Dunning said: "I just felt a bit of strain in my neck and the medical staff wanted to make sure we did everything right and be cautious. The scans have revealed it's just a strain, which is good news."
Australian coach Eddie Jones, hoping to end a run of seven consecutive defeats in the Test arena, has added Australia "A" prop Nic Henderson to the squad. The team for the Ireland game will be announced on Thursday.
England head coach Andy Robinson has again ruled out an immediate Test match return for World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson.
Outhalf Charlie Hodgson is battling to be fit for the Twickenham clash against New Zealand next Saturday after suffering a groin injury during against Australia.
Robinson though, replied with a firm "no" when asked if Wilkinson would be considered as a replacement for Hodgson, underlining his view that the player needs more game time.
