Nonu to face the music
Nonu will appear tonight before a judicial proceeding at Heathrow Airport to defend himself against a charge levelled by the citing official at the game.
Contrary to reports, the IRFU neither cited nor reported Nonu to the Six Nations Committee, the body responsible the running of matches between northern hemisphere sides hosting those from the southern hemisphere.
Instead, an appointed citing commissioner, Douglas Hunter of Scotland, extensively examined video footage of the game and reported the incident to the Six Nations, who were then obliged to act.
Mr Hunter had 48 hours to decide whether to bring it to the attention of the governing body and that was the only incident he raised.
Nonu was booed by the Irish fans after lifting D'Arcy into the air and driving him towards the ground, where he lay injured for more than two minutes.
It was the third such type of incident involving All Black players in recent months, starting with the injury sustained by Brian O'Driscoll.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, at the after match press conference, made it clear that he would not officially complain. "We have a citing commissioner, and it's up to him."
He added: "It's not something you want to see in the game. Let's not flute around here. The guy was turned upside down. It's not safe to do that. Other than that, everyone saw it. The authorities can make up their own mind on it. I'm not going to cite anybody or try and get a guy cited. Everyone saw what happened. It's not nice and it's a bit scary to see it happen."
His New Zealand counterpart, Graham Henry wasn't pleased either. "I wasn't happy with the incident," he said, although understandably he declined to elaborate.
It's understood All Blacks management has warned Nonu they expect no repeat of his tackle. Assistant coach Steve Hansen said he had spoken to Nonu specifically about the 50th minute tackle of Saturday's test.
In March this year Nonu was suspended for a week for a dangerous tackle committed when playing for his club, Hurricanes, in a Rebel Sport Super 12 game against Natal Sharks.
Henry will be present at Heathrow this evening, along with other character witnesses from the New Zealand squad, to assist Nonu's defence.
The case for the Six Nations will be put by their Disciplinary Officer, John Davis, who was first to receive the report from Mr. Hunter and who then had to act on the information received.
Last night, Mr Davis said: "There will be a single Judicial Officer, Mr Wyn Davis QC from Wales. That has been the most recent agreement with the IRB for these autumn matches. I will be presenting the case against the defendant, based on the report that has been received. There will also be a written input from the referee, and possibly the touch-judges"
Mr Davis made it clear last night that the IRFU had not made any submission. "This decision to bring the case was taken entirely on the evidence and submission of the citing officer."
Meanwhile the IRFU has announced details for ticket refunds to North Terrace ticket holders who were not allowed to attend last Saturday's game.
The New Zealand and Romania games were sold as a linked package and the full value of the package for both games 35 will be refunded to North Terrace ticket holders, who may retain and still use their Ireland v Romania tickets.
Refunds will be issued as follows: regarding tickets issued by rugby clubs, each IRFU Provincial Branch will refund tickets directly to the clubs who will then issue the ticket refund to club members.
Tickets issued to members of the public through the New Zealand Rugby Football Union will be able to receive their refund directly from the NZRFU.
Tickets bought on www.irishrugby.ie will be refunded to the full value of the package and booking fee, directly to North Terrace ticket holders' credit cards.
The terrace will be undergoing both fire and structural surveys today to confirm its availability for the Ireland-Australia game next Saturday.
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