New Zealand outside-half Dan Carter is set to miss the All Blacks’ Test match against Italy on Saturday after being banned for one week here on Tuesday for a high tackle on Wales scrum-half Martin Roberts.
Carter, who can appeal, is free to resume playing on November 17 — well in time to be available for New Zealand’s November 21 international against England at Twickenham.
The All Blacks playmaker was cited for a dangerous tackle on Roberts during New Zealand’s 19-12 victory at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Man-of-the-match Carter escaped censure from referee Craig Joubert but Wales’ Kiwi coach Warren Gatland was adamant he deserved at least a yellow card, which would have seen the playmaker sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.
New Zealand are currently preparing for this coming Saturday’s Test against Italy in Milan where Carter, who has been struggling with a calf injury, may well have been rested in any event.
After a hearing in London before Judge Jeff Blackett, the International Rugby Board’s judicial officer for the match, a statement issued on behalf of the English official said: ”Daniel Carter acknowledged responsibility, and had already apologised for, his high tackle on Martin Roberts, Wales’ replacement scrum-half.
”The sanction of one week reflected the low entry point in the IRB’s table of sanctions for the offence, together with the maximuma allowance for the mitigating factors involved.” — Sapa