New Zealand lock Brad Thorn has been cited and banned for one match for his blatant spear tackle on Springbok captain John Smit in Saturday’s opening game of the 2008 Tri Nations.
Thorn was cited by Citing Commissioner Tim Harland for the tackle on Springboks hooker John Smit in the sixth minute of the first half.
He appeared before SANZAR Judicial Officer Dennis Wheelahan QC at the New Zealand Rugby Union offices on Sunday and was banned for one match for the spear tackle on Smit. Bumbling referee Stuart Dickenson penalised Thorn but did not give the player a red or even a yellow card. The subsequent ban confirms that Thorn should have been red-carded. He was found guilty of bad sportsmanship - a lesser sentence than is normally dished out for a spear tackle.
“It’s very disappointing obviously,” said Thorn.
“I felt that I got a really good hearing, I was represented well. We got all our stuff across but unfortunately it’s one week and I accept that. You have to learn from these things and take it for the future. It just happened, you saw it as it was, that’s all I’ve got to say.”
Smit told the media he hurt his groin in the incident and as the half progressed it got worse and forced him out of the Test. He is a doubtful starter for the second Test in Dunedin.
From television footage, it appeared that Thorn not only executed a high tackle, but also leaned with an elbow into the face of a Springbok player, before lifting up and dumping Bok skipper John Smit in a movement that resembled a spear tackle.
Referee Stuart Dickinson, who had a poor match in general, did not card Thorn for the blatant offence. Dickinson will not face any consequences for his inept display.
Dickinson was inept. A replay of the incident:
Thorn high tackles Jacobs.
Thorn blatantly elbows Jacobs in the face.
John Smit takes offence so Thorn picks him up and spear tackles him – dropping the Bok skipper to the ground. Without the ball. After the whistle. Injuring Smit who was later forced to leave the field. Dickinson’s response: I’m going to REVERSE THE PENALTY in favour of the Boks!!! Firstly, what penalty is being reversed? Secondly, Thorn has committed 5 penalty offences in the space of 5 seconds right in front of the referee and he gets a warning? No Dickinson. You are truly a dick. The saddest part is that he will face no censure from the IRB. Hell, he even incorrectly disallowed a perfectly good All Black try. Not bias. Just SHEER INCOMPETENCE!!