Wallaby Mumm gets suspension

WALLABIES flanker Dean Mumm has been suspended for one match after striking All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick in Saturday’s test in Auckland as Australian coach Michael Cheika blamed the New Zealander for the incident.

The punishment, handed down yesterday, means Mumm will miss the opening game of their northern hemisphere tour against Wales in Cardiff on November 5.

Cheika, who launched into an extraordinary outburst after their 37-10 defeat about a perceived lack of respect by the All Blacks, defended Mumm before the hearing, saying Retallick was not an innocent bystander.

“He [Mumm] was trying to get back from being held illegally,” Cheika said.

Cheika refused to congratulate the All Blacks after the game for posting a world-record 18th consecutive win. – AFP