Wallabies second-rower Rob Simmons is in danger of missing Australia’s second game of the European tour against England after being cited for a lifting tackle of France’s Yannick Nyanga.
The incident occurred in the 65th minute of the Wallabies’ 33-6 loss to France on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) night when Simmons hit the French flanker with a late, lifting tackle shortly after replacing captain Nathan Sharpe.
Nyanga spilled a bomb before Simmons picked the Frenchman up and drove him into the turf with the flanker landing heavily on his back.
Luckily for Simmons, neither referee Nigel Owens or his two assistants, could pick up the number of the tackler with the referee telling acting captain Stephen Moore his side was very lucky they didn’t see who made the tackle.
The hearing will be held on either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
A Simmons ban could create further problems for coach Robbie Deans with starting second-rower Kane Douglas’s place in the team in doubt after his mother had a stroke on a flight over to watch her son play in Europe.
She remains in a stable condition in a London hospital with Simmons bedside with his family who have flown in from Australia.
It could mean second-rower Sitaleki Timani makes his return from injury in the run on side for the clash with England at Twickenham in what’s shaping as a tour defining match for Australia.
redsnut
Guest
Not so Nick. If you watch carefully, AAC's head is lower that his hips and his shoulder hits the deck first.
atlas
Guest
Why? Because the Australian rugby management have every rght to refer any such incident to the Citing Commissioner for consideration. If they choose not to, blame them.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Nobody will ever be injured in a rugby match again during our watch.... It should be - If they go down on their back nothing, if they go down on their head 6 weeks min. I think some of this ie Warburton are more than a bit OTT.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
you mean this one? Fofana does lift AAC off the ground but keep him horizontal...sort of!. not as bad as simmons but not 100% clean either, agree http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv0ub1_le-gros-plaquage-de-fofana-sur-ashley-cooper_sport
peterlala
Guest
It wasn't malicious. Yellow card is fair. And sufficient, I think.
blind freddie
Guest
You are correct skinnykid there were two tackles by the French that were just as bad or worse but don't expect anything to be done about them
redsnut
Guest
That's dead right SkinnyKid. That one was just as bad, or the Simmons one not worse. Unfair if the Frenchie isn't cited as well.
SkinnyKid
Guest
Correct me if I am wrong, but there were one or two very similar cases in the same game delivered by the french. AAC for example would have landed on his head if he had not put his elbow out to break his fall.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I think he deserves an award for 'the best straight face' when they were trying to get the number of who done it, despite his mug on the big screen and the crowds reaction. ;) As you say nothing malicious in it. But the rules are the rules and there to protect player safety. So fair enough.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Fair enough. It wasn't malicious but Did look bad. Warburton got 3 weeks in last years rwc, Tolofua 6 weeks last month. 2-4 for Simmons I think. In any case, would be surprised to see him with a wallaby jersey on this year.