Star All Blacks rugby first five-eighth Dan Carter has been handed a one-match ban for a dangerous high tackle on Wales halfback Martin Roberts.
Carter was given the suspension by International Rugby Board-appointed judicial officer, Englishman Jeff Blackett, at a hearing at London's Heathrow Airport today, a Six Nations spokeswoman
told NZPA.
It means Carter will miss Sunday's (NZT) test against Italy here, which he was poised to sit out anyway, and be available to return against England at Twickenham a week later for a much-awaited matchup with Jonny Wilkinson.
Bay of Plenty's Mike Delany is poised to make his test debut in Carter's No 10 jersey at a sold out San Siro this weekend.
The 64-test All Black was cited by Australian citing commissioner Scott Nowland for the 72nd-minute tackle on Roberts in Sunday's 19-12 win in Cardiff.
Carter wasn't penalised by referee Craig Joubert at the time, but Wales coach Warren Gatland said after the test he should have been sinbinned.
"It wasn't intentional, just one of those things," Carter told reporters yesterday.
He was represented today by London-based lawyer Owen Eastwood and accompanied by All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen.
It was Carter's first hearing for foul play in his glittering professional career with the Crusaders and All Blacks.
Carter became the third All Black to be suspended on the current tour, after winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (dangerous tackle) and prop Tony Woodcock (striking) got one-match bans after the Tokyo test against the Wallabies.
- NZPA
