Rugby: Heaslip's five-week ban compounds Ireland's woes

Jamie Heaslip arrives for a judicial hearing in New Plymouth. Photo / NZPA

Jamie Heaslip received a five-week ban here today for what All Blacks rugby coach Graham Henry labelled a "brain explosion" as Ireland surveyed the ruins of a calamitous night at the office.

One of Ireland's best players, Heaslip was suspended until July 17 by International Rugby Board (IRB) judicial officer Michael Cashman, of Australia, for striking All Blacks captain Richie McCaw with his knee in the 15th minute of last night's 66-28 win by the hosts.

It means the No 8 will miss Ireland's remaining two matches on their tour, against New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Friday and the Wallabies in Brisbane on June 26.

Heaslip was sent off by English referee Wayne Barnes, meaning an automatic trip to the judiciary.

Today he admitted breaching law 10.4 (a) and twice striking his opponent with his knee, but denied striking another All Blacks player's head.

In a written judgement, Cashman determined the first strike was to another player's head and found the offending to be in the mid-range of seriousness.

A surprised Henry, who said McCaw was uninjured during the incident, had never seen any previous foul play from Heaslip.

"That was just a brain explosion by a very good footballer. That's a pity and he's going to suffer for it, and the Irish suffered for it and he will suffer the consequences in the future," Henry said.

New Zealand Maori will fancy their chances of another international scalp on Friday with Ireland losing players at a fast rate.

On top of Heaslip's absence, flanker John Muldoon suffered a broken arm, lock Mick O'Driscoll departed with back spasms and 102-test tighthead prop John Hayes didn't even take the field due to illness.

Captain Brian O'Driscoll, who scored one of his side's four tries in a brave second-half fightback, cut a disconsolate figure afterwards.

Ireland actually enjoyed more possession and territory but the damage was done late in the first half when they were reduced to 13 men when first five-eighth Ronan O'Gara was sinbinned by Barnes for a professional foul on a trybound Cory Jane.

"I don't want to get into the fairness of them (decisions). You've got to deal with these things and sometimes they're the cards you're dealt. You've got to suck it up," O'Driscoll said.

"We struggled for a period of time but I was delighted we showed a bit of bottle in the second half."

O'Driscoll said the All Blacks' next opponents Wales, in Dunedin on Saturday, faced an uphill battle.

"You have to stop the speed of their ruck ball. That was one thing we struggled with, they generated incredibly quick ruck ball and we couldn't set our defensive line.

"Their ability to offload and support play was really top class. For a first test of the season they did pretty well and they look very potent at the moment.

"If Wales start well and get into a good mindset I'm sure they can do extremely well. But I've got other things on my mind than wishing Wales well."

- NZPA