Carter gets one-week suspension

Second-string lineup expected for Italy match

BY MARC HINTON IN MILAN

Last updated 05:00 11/11/2009

SUSPENDED: Dan Carter's defence in London did not take long to make a ruling on the New Zealander's 71st-minute high hit on replacement Welsh halfback Martin Roberts at the Millennium Stadium last week.

Video: Carter returns to Milan

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A sheepish Dan Carter emerged from his taxi early in the Italian evening, took a couple of firm strides towards the media throng and reflected briefly on his first slap on the rugby wrist.

This was not Dan the Man. It was Dan the Ban.

Carter confirmed at the hearing he had apologised to Roberts after the game and also revealed the incident had had an unsettling effect on him. He told Judge Blackett he felt "very embarrassed" when he was booed by the crowd for much of the rest of the match.

And that was petty much that. A few short sentences. A mea culpa, of sorts. A gee shucks. And he was away. No questions to be answered - despite the fact we all had plenty - and an extended run now to prepare for what shapes as the most exciting head-to-head of the November rugby jamboree.

An overnight trip to London had seen the All Blacks star handed a one-week ban for his 71st-minute high shot on replacement Welsh halfback Martin Roberts last weekend in Cardiff - an incident that caused a good degree of post-match controversy when Warren Gatland accused the All Blacks of getting favourable treatment because it had been allowed to slide by referee Craig Joubert.

Carter was eventually cited, the world's best No 10, along with assistant coach Steve Hansen, jetted off to London, and at start of business Tuesday at Heathrow airport they put their case to the IRB's Judicial Officer, no less an authority than His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett of England.

Blackett then dispensed some swift, and fairly fair, justice.

Here's what Carter had to say on his arrival back at the team hotel:

"I was pretty happy and that the hearing went well and was a fair hearing. It was the first time to the judiciary, so it was a new experience for me.

"I got [suspended] for one week, so I guess I'll just look forward to helping the boys prepare for the game this week and look forward to getting back on the pitch next week."

Did he feel victimised? Did the suspension set a dangerous precedent for all high-hitters? Was he relieved it wasn't longer?

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They were all questions left hanging in the air. Carter, who's somewhat of a star in these parts, then turned and entered the hotel; no doubt to start preparing for his battle with Jonny Wilkinson's England side a week on Saturday.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, who spoke to the travelling media earlier in the day, hinted at just a little dissatisfaction in the camp when he referred to the issue of consistency.

"I guess there will be some consistency now in that area and we'll see what happens," said Smith. He confirmed that the All Blacks had been planning to be without Carter this week once the citing was confirmed, though the reality was he almost certainly wouldn't have played regardless.

Early indications on the probable lineup suggest changes, if not for Africa, certainly for Italy, and all of the big guns of the opening fortnight getting time to restock their powder.

"All I'd say is there needs to be some consistency here to make sure that similar offences get cited in the future," added Smith, the message clear.

Smith felt the ban had set a "precedent" though didn't feel that either Carter or the All Blacks had been tarnished by effectively one bad piece of judgment under pressure.

But he did concede that the All Blacks' record on this tour is not exactly puff out the chest material. Three suspensions in two games, he said, was a "concern".

"You don't want that. We need to look at ourselves and just make sure we're toeing the line, and playing within the laws. We've got to do what we can to make sure we're beyond reproach."

Smith also gave short shrift to the theory that if you were ever going to get a suspension, this wasn't a bad week to cop one.

"It's something that's probably not very pleasant," he said. "You wouldn't want to have to go through it. I don't think any week is a good week to be suspended."

The reality, though, is that Carter's week won't change one iota. He will go on preparing for that showdown with Jonny at Twickers, and will sit in the stands with the rest of us this weekend and marvel over the magnificence of a full house at the San Siro.

- © Fairfax NZ News