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Dan Carter tackles Wales' Martin Roberts - Source: Reuters -
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All Blacks first five Dan Carter has been cited for a dangerous
tackle on Wales halfback Martin Roberts during Sunday's Test in
Cardiff's.
Carter was jeered off the pitch after the head-high tackle, which
incensed Wales coach Warren Gatland, and will face a disciplinary
hearing in Milan, where the New Zealand squad are preparing for
next weekend's clash against Italy.
He is due to appear before International Rugby Board-appointed
judicial officer Jeff Blackett, who is also the Rugby Football
Union's disciplinary chief.
The 27-year-old, who was not yellow-carded for the offence by
match referee Craig Joubert, could receive a minimum one-week
ban.
Carter, who kicked 14 points during the All Blacks' 19-12 victory,
was cited by Australian match commissioner Scott Nowland.
He is the third All Blacks player to be cited in a week, following
one-week suspensions dished out to wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop
Tony Woodcock for foul play during the victory over Australia in
Tokyo.
Roberts, who had come on as a replacement, admitted Carter had
apologised for the tackle.
"Looking at the replay it did look quite high. He did apologise to
me. He said 'sorry for the tackle' after the game," he said.
"Things like that happen in games, and you just have to take it on
the chin. It looked bad, but I was fine.
"Everyone has got their views and opinions, but as a player you
just get on with it. The referee makes decisions."
Gatland, though, had no doubt Carter should have been
yellow-carded.
"It was a head-high tackle," he said. "A guy makes a break in the
22, and if that had happened at the other end then it would have
been a penalty and a yellow card.
"All the officials missed it, so we are pretty disappointed with
that."
All Blacks centre Conrad Smith conceded New Zealand's general
discipline was below the required standard.
"One of the worrying things was that our discipline still wasn't
good enough," he said.
"We gave away far too many penalties and we are letting teams into
games.
"I think our defence is really good, and the main way teams are
making metres against us is through penalties. There were a lot of
silly penalties conceded."
