All Black and Auckland Blues lock Ali Williams lost his appeal on Thursday against his six-week ban handed down for stomping on Canterbury Crusaders captain Richie McCaw during a Super 12 match on March 19.
The appeal committee of Super 12 governing body Sanzar rejected Williams’s attempt to overturn last week’s ruling by the organisation’s judicial committee, the New Zealand Rugby Union said.
In the appeal, Blues chief executive David White called the six-week ban against Williams ”excessive” after Reds flanker Daniel Heenan was found guilty of a similar offence on McCaw, but was banned for only two games.
Williams’s fellow Blues players — halfback David Gibson and inside centre Sam Tuitupou — were also found guilty after being cited for the same incident in the Crusaders match. Each also received just a two-week ban.
The incident happened in the Blues’ 19-41 loss to the Crusaders. Television replays showed Williams appearing to stomp on McCaw’s head.
Williams admitted rucking McCaw, saying his fellow All Black was lying in a position that impeded the Blues’ access to ball.
Tuitupou and Gibson admitted going for the player and not the ball, but received a lighter sentence as the judiciary found they rucked McCaw’s lower back rather than near the head.
The Blues next play the ACT Brumbies in Auckland on Saturday. — Sapa-AFP