New Zealand 36-12 England - 橄欖球

Sunday, 20 June, 2004, 02:42 GMT 03:42 UK
Grewcock given ban

England lock Danny Grewcock has been banned from rugby until 31 August
after a disciplinary hearing in Auckland.


The Bath captain was cited for reckless use of the boot during England's
36-12 second Test defeat against New Zealand.

Grewcock will now miss next Saturday's World Cup final rematch against
Australia in Brisbane.

Team-mate Simon Shaw, however, is free to play after being cleared of
foul play despite being sent off against the All Blacks for use of the knee.

The decision to send off Shaw, who kneed New Zealand lock Keith Robinson
in the back, incensed captain Lawrence Dallaglio and England coach Sir
Clive Woodward.

The disciplinary panel ruled he could not be banned since Australian
touch judge Stuart Dickinson, who recommended the sending-off, had
breached protocol by asking for help from the television match official
to identify Shaw.

Robinson himself said: "I didn't know what had happened... I can't say
he hurt me in any way."

Woodward refused however to defend Grewcock, who was found guilty of
reckless use of the boot to All Blacks centre Daniel Carter's head.

His ban means he will only miss next Saturday's Test in Brisbane, with
England not playing again until November and the Zurich Premiership
season not starting until 4 September.

Woodward, who described the hearing as fair, is now set to retain the
second row partnership of Shaw and Steve Borthwick against Australia.

Grewcock's ban is the latest in a series of indiscretions that has
chequered his career.

The 31-year-old, who would have won his 50th cap against Australia
had he been selected, was sent off playing for England against New Zealand
in 1998.

He was also red-carded twice in club colours during the 2002/03 season,
although his first sending off - against Saracens - was quashed on appeal.

The second dismissal - for punching England team-mate Lawrence Dallaglio
in the Parker Pen Cup final - meant he missed England's Test in Wellington
last year.


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什麼東西啊！

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