Nonu Cited For Tackle On D’Arcy

Ma’a Nonu tackling Gordon D’Arcy to the ground in Saturday’s Test match

New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu has been cited for his spear tackle on Gordon D’Arcy during Saturday’s Test match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

The incident, which took place after 52 minutes, saw D’Arcy in need of physio treatment after Nonu dumped him into the ground in a “spear-like” motion. The tackle was worryingly similar to that which saw Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll dislocate his shoulder barely a minute into the first Test of the Lions series in June.

Both Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu, the offenders in Christchurch, escaped a citing and possible ban in the summer, but Umaga’s Wellington team mate Nonu might not be so fortunate.

The 23-year-old could be suspended and made an example of as the controversy surrounding the tackle on O’Driscoll has raged on in both Hemispheres for months.

IRB chairman Dr. Syd Millar admitted last month that the “entire rugby community was sorry” that O’Driscoll had suffered serious injury, adding that, in reference to spear tackling: “the IRB are determined that, to the best of their ability, such incidents do not occur again.”

The IRB recently stated that dangerous tackles, such as the spear tackle which ended O’Driscoll’s Lions tour prematurely, would see players suspended for between three and six months.

Saturday’s match citing commissioner Douglas Hunter believed Nonu had a case to answer and has summoned the All Black to a hearing, convened by the Six Nations committee, tomorrow night in a London hotel. New Zealand media manager Scott Compton confirmed as such on Monday.

As citing commissioner, Scotland’s Hunter had 48 hours to investigate complaints, or to carry out his own investigations in the absence of complaints from either team.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan, while not wishing to pursue the issue, said of the tackle on Saturday: “It’s not safe to do that to anybody. It’s not a pretty sight and a bit scary to see.”