The Saffas I've been chatting to are pretty pissed off that Giteau didn't get cited.
Poll attached
Poll attached
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2200&art_id=nw20090809205249847C271203Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau should at least have been called into a disciplinary hearing for his horror tackle on Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, says SA Rugby referees boss Andre Watson.
Surprisingly, Giteau was on Saturday not cited for the incident. Du Preez was waiting to field an up-and-under from the Wallabies when Giteau clattered into him well before the ball had reached the Bok No 9.
Giteau received a yellow card from Irish referee Alain Rolland for the incident, but was not cited by New Zealand match commissioner David Gray.
Watson told the Cape Times yesterday that the incident may not have been worthy of a red card, but said that Giteau should have been called to a disciplinary hearing.
"It looks bad, but it was Giteau's arm leading the way," said Watson. "I don't think it should be upgraded to a red card. Giteau's arm was out and he caught Fourie, who got hurt in the incident.
"But having said that, I can't understand why Giteau has not been called in for a disciplinary hearing. Then the judicial officer can look at the evidence and decide what action to take, if any. If Giteau is found not guilty in a hearing, then it's fine. But he should at least have faced a hearing."
Giteau can feel extremely lucky to have escaped without any further punishment, as his challenge on Du Preez appeared to be reckless and much more dangerous than the recent incident that saw Springbok lock Bakkies Botha suspended for two weeks after he cleaned out British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones at a ruck during the second Test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.