Sonny Bill cops four-week ban
Sonny Bill Williams has been suspended for four weeks for his shoulder charge on Lions wing Anthony Watson.
The All Blacks midfielder was sent off in the 25th minute of the 24-21 second test loss to the Lions in Wellington on Saturday night and has been dished out further punishment after pleading guilty to unnecessary contact to the head.
A judicial panel consisting of Adam Casselden, David Croft, and John Langford, all of Australia, spent almost three hours hearing the case at the New Zealand Rugby offices in Wellington last night before delivering the verdict that means Williams misses the deciding test in Auckland on Saturday.
Williams, flanked, by All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster, gave a brief statement before jumping in a taxi to the airport.
‘‘Just finished my hearing, ended up getting four weeks. Obviously really disappointed, but happy with being able to get in there and say my piece,’’ Williams said.
‘‘They’ve come to the conclusion that it was reckless, it wasn’t intentional. I’ve got in contact with Anthony and I’ve apologised to him, but very disappointed that I was sent from the field and let my brothers down.’’
The All Blacks had already called Malakai Fekitoa into the squad as Williams’ replacement, ahead of the deciding test of the series at Eden Park on Saturday.
Watson was in the process of being tackled by Waisake Naholo and Williams came in with his shoulder. The contact was to Watson’s head and there was no evidence of him using his arms.
Referee Jerome Garces was quick and decisive to reach for the red card when the TMO interjected.
Not only did it force the All Blacks to play out the test with 14 players, but they made the big call to pull flanker Jerome Kaino in favour of debutant Ngani Laumape so they were not caught short in the backs.
Williams was hurting, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had said before the hearing.
‘‘He’s disappointed. Not for himself, he accepts he’s made a mistake, but he’s disappointed because he’s let the team down.
‘‘We can’t go back and change it. People make mistakes. It’s a fluid game. it’s a fast game, it’s a physical game, so we’ve got to move on from it.’’