Rowntree cited

Simon Lewis

The incident happened in the first minute and Rowntree, the Lions’ veteran prop, will appear before an independent judiciary hearing this morning.

Auckland centre Sam Tuitupou has also been cited, for allegedly stamping or trampling on Gordon D’Arcy in the 52nd minute.

Rowntree was cited by the International Rugby Board’s independent commissioner Dennis Wheelahan of Australia.

The disciplinary hearing will be conducted at Eden Park by the IRB’s judicial officer Terry Willis, who suspended Danny Grewcock for two months after the Lions lock was found guilty of biting Keven Mealamu in the first Test.

Rowntree’s involvement in yesterday’s final midweek game indicates he will not be involved in Saturday’s third Test, with Andrew Sheridan set to feature against the All Blacks.

Tuitupou can consider himself fortunate not to have been cited on two counts after his punch on Ben Kay left the Lions lock nursing a gruesome black eye and forced him from the field.