Lions boost as Williams banned, O’Brien cleared
Print Edition
RED-CARDED All Blacks center Sonny Bill Williams was suspended for four weeks yesterday, but British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O’Brien escaped a ban in a boost for the tourists as they chase a historic series victory.
Williams said he had no argument with his ban after he became the first New Zealander to be sent off in a home test during Saturday’s series-levelling, 24-21 Lions’ win.
Later O’Brien, who was cited for an alleged strike on Waisake Naholo, avoided punishment when the complaint was dismissed by the judicial panel.
It was a helpful turn of events for the visitors, who retain the influential O’Brien while the All Blacks will have to do without the hulking Williams in Saturday’s third test.
“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 after nearly three hours in front of a judicial panel.
O’Brien was later cleared when the all-Australian panel said the complaint against him had been dismissed. “Firstly, I hope Waisake is OK,” he said in a statement. “I’d like to thank the panel for carefully considering the case and I am looking forward to re-joining the whole squad to prepare for the final test.”
Williams, the code-hopping double World Cup-winner, was red-carded 25 minutes into the test after a shoulder charge to the head of Lions wing Anthony Watson. He did not contest the charge when he appeared before the judicial panel at the New Zealand Rugby offices yesterday.
“They’ve come to the conclusion that it was reckless, that it wasn’t intentional,” Williams said. “I’ve got in contact with Anthony and I’ve apologized to him but I’m very disappointed that I was sent off last night and that I let my brothers down.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed before the hearing that Williams would plead guilty. “There’s a (judicial) process, we trust the process. Sonny’s paid a big price. The team’s paid a big price for him making a mistake,” Hansen said. “He’s disappointed. Not for himself, he accepts he’s made a mistake, but he’s disappointed because he’s let the team down.”
The All Blacks have called Otago Highlanders center Malakai Fekitoa into the squad as Williams’ replacement with midfielder Ryan Crotty already sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained in the first test.
Although the All Blacks were forced to play with 14 men for 55 minutes after Williams was sent off, the Lions did not hit the lead until three minutes from time when Owen Farrell landed the match-winning penalty.
Williams is only the third All Black ever to be sent off, following Cyril Brownlie in 1925 and Colin Meads in 1967.
The Lions will seek their first series win in New Zealand since 1971 this weekend at Eden Park, where the All Blacks are unbeaten in 24 years.
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