Vickery cited, and rightly so

[frontrow]

Vickery may miss South Africa match
(Rugby News Service) Monday 10 September 2007
By Matt Torbit

VERSAILLES, 10 September – England captain Phil Vickery could miss Friday's crunch match against South Africa after being cited for kicking.

Vickery was cited after an incident involving USA centre Paul Emerick during their opening Pool A IRB Rugby World Cup match on Saturday.

England assistant coach Mike Ford said as Sunday and Monday were largely recovery days, the citing had not disrupted preparations for England's crucial Pool A showdown with South Africa on Friday.

"It's not been much of a grumble for us. We will name our side (on Tuesday) and by then we will know what has happened to Phil in terms of the judiciary," he said.

"We have just got to get focused and on with the job at hand."

Ford said the citing was part of the game and if Vickery was forced to sit out the match against South Africa, a more than capable replacement would step into the tight-head prop role.

Matt Stevens would likely replace Vickery in the starting line-up if he is forced out.

After the USA game, Vickery described the alleged kick as "unfortunate".

"But there was certainly no malice from my part," he said in a post-match press conference.

In a statement England management said: "England captain Phil Vickery will attend the hearing with the squad's legal representative Richard Smith and a further comment will be made after the hearing is concluded."

Emerick was also cited by citing commissioner Steven Hines for a dangerous tackle on England fly half Olly Barkley during the match.

[zimeric]

Emerick was unlucky not to be awarded a Penalty try for that! Vickery was the last line of defence apart from the cover defence that was miles away. It was foolish and not worth the risk. I hope he gets his just deserts!

[hopep]

I didn't get to see the game. Was it a kick (like in a ruck/tackle) or a trip in a tackle attempt?

Seems a bit daft for an experienced player?

[frontrow]

It was blatantly illegal...will try to download picture...

[zimeric]

courtesy daily telegraph

[shasta]

It was blatantly illegal......

Sure was. Damn lucky not tro break his shin, too. At least 1 match suspension I reckon.

[hopep]

Thanks for the Pic Zimeric.
Yep - that looks like an intentional trip to me - seen many guys sent off (over the years) for that.

[LarryNJ]

Is it possible the SA ref didn't call a yellow card because he knew that he would be disciplined after the game? Or would he still be suspended even if it was called during the game?

[Skiza]

He kinda looks like he's doing a really bad version of highland dancing

[frontrow]

Larry, he should have been yellow carded and cited for the action, imho...You can get carded and then face a tribunal later, you don't need a red card to front the judiciary....
He is thier captain so he should be made an example of, to deter this activity...

[GIGS20]

I don't think a red would've been too harsh, it was cynical, dangerous and an offence committed with the intention of stopping the player scoring. I'd call it red card!!

[JediKnight]

He is thier captain so he should be made an example of, to deter this activity...

I'm hoping that the citing commissioners don't use punishments in the first round of citings "to set an example to deter this activity"........the punishment should fit the crime, end of story - no matter who it was who did it & in what game.

Let's hope the commissioner is strong enough to suspend a player from a winning semi-final team should the offence warrant it, even though they'd miss the RWC final.