Williams is banned for four weeks
Sonny Bill Williams has been banned for four weeks following his red card for smashing a shoulder into the face of Lions wing Anthony Watson in the second Test.
The All Blacks centre is the first new Zealander to be sent off in an international since Colin Meads in 1967.
But Steve Hansen, the All Blacks coach, indicated yesterday that he does not expect either side to ease off on physicality in the third and final Test on Saturday. ‘This is a physical game,’ said Hansen.
French referee Jerome Garces showed no hesitation about issuing the red card in the 25th minute and, having pleaded guilty, Williams will now miss the series decider at Eden Park.
After yesterday’s disciplinary hearing Williams issued a brief statement. ‘I’ve been in contact with Anthony and I’ve apologised to him,’ Williams said. ‘obviously I’m really disappointed. They have come to the conclusion that it was reckless. It wasn’t intentional.’
The All Blacks lost 24-21 — their first defeat on home soil since 2009 — after Williams’ dismissal.
Hansen said Williams had ‘let the team down’.
‘The red card was a red card,’ said Hansen. ‘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.’
Hansen does not expect any change in approach. ‘This is a physical game and one of the reasons why we love rugby is because of the varying natures of the game,’ he said.
‘one of those natures is the brutality, the intensity that comes with it. you know, you are asking people to be warriors, within the law, and that’s what’s happening.
‘Is some of it close? yeah, but it always is. There’s not a genuine Test match that doesn’t challenge you physically and mentally.’
Garces was backed by Fred Howard, the former international referee who sent off four players in his 20 Tests. ‘I applaud Garces totally for making his mind up when it seemed like perhaps the Television Match official and one of the assistant referees were hinting that he should think again,’ Howard said.
‘It was a clear challenge shoulder to head without any attempt to grasp. That is reckless.
‘Garces stuck to his guns. He saw what he saw and he explained clearly why he thought it was a red card and not a yellow and that was that. He was right.’