Nonu in the clear

NEW ZEALAND centre Ma’a Nonu has escaped further punishment for his spear-tackle on Ireland’s Gordon D’Arcy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Nonu was called before an International Rugby Board disciplinary hearing last night after being cited for the challenge which saw him lift D’Arcy into the air and drop the Leinster midfielder onto the floor.

But IRB judicial officer Judge Wyn Williams, who deferred his decision overnight, has opted against taking additional action as Nonu did not drive D’Arcy into the ground.

Players found guilty of a dangerous tackle can be banned for three and six months, with the IRB anxious to stamp out such challenges.

Referee Jonathan Kaplan reacted to the second-half incident, which brought-back memories of the double spear-tackle by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu on Brian O’Driscoll during the first Lions Test in June, by awarding Ireland a penalty. Williams ruled this was sufficient punishment.

Williams came to his conclusion after watching a video of the tackle, examining Kaplan’s report, listening to Nonu’s account and accepting representations from the player’s legal team and New Zealand coach Graham Henry.

The challenge was condemned by Henry and Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan after the match but both agreed the tackle was clumsy rather than malicious, although O’Sullivan demanded that any instances of spear-tackling should be heavily penalised.

Nonu, who made his first appearance of the tour in the 45-7 drubbing of Ireland, has been overlooked for Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham but will come into contention for Scotland seven days later.

Umaga and Aaron Mauger are Henry’s first choice midfield partnership but Nonu looks set to link up with Conrad Smith at Murrayfield.