Wallaby lock Justin Harrison said on Thursday he will stand down from the New South Wales Waratahs team until a disciplinary hearing investigates a racial comment he admitted making to a South African player in a Super 12 rugby last weekend.
Harrison has been in the headlines after he admitted at a press conference on Wednesday that he had racially abused black Golden Cats winger Chumani Booi during last Saturday’s Super 12 match in Johannesburg.
The Cats management has lodged an official complaint to governing body Sanzar over the incident.
Harrison issued a statement through the New South Wales Rugby Union on Thursday, saying that in the interests of the Waratahs’ team it will be best that he does not play in Saturday’s match against South Africa’s Western Stormers in Sydney.
”I’ve asked to be stood down until a hearing takes place,” Harrison said in the statement on Thursday.
”In the best interest of the team and the supporters, I believe I should not play this weekend.
”I’m still coming to terms with the ramifications of what I said, and for the moment it’s better that I do that away from the team.
”As I said yesterday, I deeply regret what I said to Chumani and I have sent letters to South Africa to apologise.”
Waratahs head coach Ewen McKenzie said he has accepted Harrison’s decision to stand down.
”Justin has done what he believes is in the best interest of the Waratahs,” McKenzie said in the statement.
”We considered taking the same action but are bound to follow Sanzar’s disciplinary process, which is now in the hands of South African officials.”
New South Wales Rugby Union officials said they are awaiting official notification before any further action is taken.
Harrison’s withdrawal opens the way for Alex Kanaar to partner Wallaby lock Daniel Vickerman in the Waratahs’ line-out for the game with the Stormers. — Sapa-AFP