All Blacks: Hore cited for hit

Andrew Hore. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore has been cited this morning for his swinging arm hit on Welsh lock Bradley Davies in Sunday's test in Cardiff.

The date of the hearing before an International Rugby Board judicial officer has yet to be set but it doesn't look good for the 74-test veteran who will likely miss this week's test against England and the start of next season.

Not even one minute into the game and Hore clobbered Davies when the big lock strayed in front of him at a breakdown. Davies had no idea it was coming - the attack arriving from behind and he left the field dazed, a condition he sustained until well after the game.

Only Hore will know what he was really up to but multiple replays only confirm the impression there was intent and purpose.

"To be honest, all we have seen is the one replay of it and he looks like he is going into cleanout the Welshman in front of him," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. "He looked like he went to get him out of the way and clearly something has happened during that. Until I see it properly I can't really say...but it is unfortunate it has happened."

Davies, who two years ago on the same ground, was legally pole-axed by a thunderous Jerome Kaino hit, was helped off and looked shaken by the impact.

"We are taking him to hospital, he doesn't know exactly where he is right now," confirmed Wales coach Warren Gatland.

"It didn't look great. From the initial look at the video, Bradley's been hit from behind and he's gone down. That's something the citing commissioner can have a look at, but I haven't had a good look at it. I'll be disappointed [if it was foul play] because he's a key player for us. He's not in great shape at the moment but fingers crossed it's not too bad."

- nzherald.co.nz/Herald on Sunday