Focus was on first butting says Krige

By WYNNE GRAY

Stormers captain Corne Krige has revealed several more disturbing aspects about the decision to suspend him for eight weeks for headbutting.

Krige said the judicial panel was "not concerned about the second headbutt" on Chiefs centre Derek Maisey - it was more worried about the first crack he had at Maisey.

He also said the New Zealand panel originally wanted to ban him for six weeks, but amended that so Krige could play in Britain this month for the Barbarians.

Interviewed on CapeTalk Radio, Krige said the judiciary's focus was more on his first headbutt during the Stormers' loss last week to the Chiefs.

If that were so, it would seem as strange as the sentence Krige received, especially after he lined up Maisey carefully a second time and connected.

Krige told morning talkshow host Mike Wills that his original sentence was six weeks, but that would have meant his missing three Barbarians matches.

The flanker asked for an exemption to play those games. That concession was granted and Krige's ban increased by two weeks.

Krige accepted that he had erred, but disputed claims that he was a rugby villain.

"My disciplinary record is good," he said. "In 60 Super 12 matches this is only my second disciplinary hearing. They took that into account.

"I will definitely be playing Currie Cup rugby for Western Province this season.

"I admit that when you look at the tape it doesn't look great.

"I play the game close to the line in terms of aggression. I lost it a little bit and I made a mistake."

Krige is in Christchurch to support the Stormers as they play the Crusaders tonight.

* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Super 12 updates.