Cribb facing two counts

By CHRIS RATTUE

Plenty of blood has flowed already and there is sure to be more on the tracks when the rugby judiciary meets this week.

North Harbour captain Ron Cribb is at the centre of a stomping controversy that has left him facing a lengthy suspension that could wreck his career in a number of ways.

Cribb was yesterday cited by a match commissioner for stomping Canterbury wing Ryan Glover, who departed with a bloodied face during Saturday night's NPC match at Albany.

Glover, making his debut, suffered four cuts around an ear that required 14 stitches.

Cribb was also cited for a dangerous tackle on Cameron McIntyre, who was hit high and late after making a clearing kick, during Canterbury's 18-10 win.

The complaints review officer will look over the tapes today, with Cribb sure to be called to a hearing, probably on Wednesday when the New Zealand Rugby Union hears Wellington's appeal against the eligibility of Harbour halfback Chad Alcock.

If a case involving Cribb's team-mate Troy Flavell sets a precedent, then Cribb is in major strife, and can expect to have any remote World Cup replacement hopes he had extinguished.

The hearing may even affect his Super 12 prospects and the Japanese club offer he is considering.

Flavell was suspended for three months by a Sanzar hearing this year for deliberately stomping on Chiefs hooker Greg Smith, even though the panel gave Flavell the benefit of the doubt over whether he targeted Smith's head, which was not entirely visible. Smith suffered concussion.

Glover's head was stationary and fairly visible, but Canterbury had little to say yesterday and believe Glover should be fit for selection in Saturday's Ranfurly Shield defence against Auckland.

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean declined to comment through the union's media officer, and Glover was also out of reach.

Cribb has already been suspended for fighting this season and now faces two charges and another ban, without a good behaviour record to ease any penalty.

He has talked over new contracts with New Zealand and North Harbour, but is also considering joining Kobe in Japan, where the new season begins in March.

Flavell has also been linked with a Japanese club.

Cribb raked Glover's head as it was exposed on the North Harbour side of a ruck. He later said at a media conference he was trying to get to the ball, at which point his coach Russell Jones added that the tackled ball area had been a "mess" during the game.

When asked yesterday by the Herald about the tackle on McIntyre, Jones replied: "It is fair to say there was some frustration out there. But you've got to keep your frustrations within you. Ron is normally fairly stable in that area and doesn't get himself in too much trouble."

On the rucking of Glover, Jones said public reaction was often heightened "when a bit of blood starts to flow. At first look it doesn't look too good, but I would like to see it in a bit more detail. Aussie and I coached the New Zealand under-19s. He didn't seem concerned when I spoke to him after the game."

Cribb's career reached a high point in 2000 when the No 8 appeared to be a star in the making as he won a title with the Crusaders and All Black selection. But his fortunes have slid through injury, losing his test place, engaging in a battle about payments with the rugby union and having his Blues prospects spoilt when the side's other specialist No 8, Xavier Rush, was named captain.

He even copped criticism in some quarters for giving up the first-ever penalty try by the All Blacks, in defeat to Australia in 2001.

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