No excuses from apologetic Mitchell

No excuses from apologetic Mitchell

GREG GROWDEN, CHRISTCHURCH
August 4, 2010

DREW Mitchell has vowed he will not put himself in a position where he lets his Wallaby teammates down again after becoming the first Australian player to be sent off in 23 years.

The Wallaby winger said that it was entirely his fault he had to watch the final 37 minutes of the 49-28 Melbourne Bledisloe Cup loss from the sideline after two yellow card incidents.

At least Mitchell can redeem himself on Saturday night as he is scheduled to hold onto his spot for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Christchurch.

Mitchell said after training yesterday that his sending off was probably the most humiliating moment of his football career.

''It was stupid on my behalf. I shouldn't have put the referee in a situation to make a decision like that, and in both circumstances, it could have been avoided. It is certainly not a highlight of my career,'' he said.

The offences were relatively minor, a dangerous tackle and then being obstructive when the All Blacks were attempting a quick lineout throw. Mitchell refused to make any excuses.

''It was a poor decision on my behalf, and it really let the team down. I took things in my own hand, and so in the end had to watch quite a lot of the game,'' Mitchell said.

''Essentially I was the one who did it after being warned, so there's not a great deal I can whinge about.''

The All Blacks have made one change, with half-back Piri Weepu taking over from the injured Jimmy Cowan.

Likely Wallaby team: Kurtley Beale; James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Will Genia; Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.


Source: The Age