England fined and trainer suspended after extra man fiasco

12.50am

England has been fined Stg10,000 ($28,137) for fielding an extra player in the dying stages of Sunday's rugby World Cup match against Samoa.

Fitness trainer Dave Reddin has also been banned from the touchline for two matches for ignoring match officials.

However, a second charge against Reddin for an alleged altercation with New Zealand referee Steve Walsh after the match was not upheld.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the penalties following a 3-1/2 hour hearing before independent judicial officer Brian McLaughlin of Ireland here tonight.

England faced two misconduct charges following the clash in Melbourne's Telstra Dome, won by the Cup favourites 35-22.

The first charge was levelled at the English Rugby Union for acting contrary to instructions issued by the fifth match official, Brett Bowden.

English management insisted Dan Luger, a replacement for injured centre Mike Tindall, joined the action although Tindall was still considered to be playing.

Bowden refused to let Luger on because play was in progress, but England coach Clive Woodward instructed Reddin to ignore the directive.

Luger was on the field for 34 seconds before referee Jonathan Kaplan sent him to the sideline. During his brief stint, he made a tackle as Samoa pushed for a last-minute try which could have earned it a vital bonus point.

England pleaded guilty to the charge and spokesman Richard Prescott said the squad "now look forward to the fixture against Uruguay on Sunday."

The misconduct complaint against Reddin was dismissed although Walsh claimed he was "shouldered in the back" by the trainer shortly after the match.

Walsh, who made submissions at the hearing, has been muzzled by the tournament organisers.

The Dominion Post said Walsh admitted in his initial report that he swore at Reddin as they walked through the tunnel and called him a "loser".

Walsh had said the comments were made in response to him being shouldered in the back by the Englishman.

Independent judicial officer Brian McLaughlin of Ireland heard the misconduct claims.

England were represented by a lawyer travelling with the team Richard Smith QC, Woodward, Reddin, Luger, and replacement halfback Andy Gomersall who was also on the bench on Sunday.

IRB press officer Chris Rea said Reddin was banned for two matches after an admission of guilt in relation to the Luger substitution.

The ban could have been longer had Reddin, who had a previously unblemished record, not issued an apology. The suspension includes Sunday's match against Uruguay and a quarterfinal in Brisbane on November 9.

England coach Clive Woodward admitted before the hearing that England made a mistake in sending Luger onto the pitch and promised an internal investigation.

As he left the hearing venue Woodward told reporters he was satisfied England received a "fair hearing.

There had been varied calls as to what punishment, if any, England should receive before McLaughlin delivered his verdict.

Former Wallabies star Toutai Kefu said England should be stripped of points won from the match for showing arrogance and a "lack of respect" for match officials.

Samoa's management, meanwhile, brushed off the controversy.

"We are not unhappy and we are not taking it any further, that's not our way," New Zealand-born coach John Boe said.

France coach Bernard Laporte called for England to be disciplined, but not stripped of their victory.

Walsh is a touch judge for the pool B clash between France and the United States in Wollongong tomorrow.

- NZPA

Full World Cup coverage