Bad boys told to 'wait' for DC outcome
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:32
The two bad boys of last Saturday's Australia versus South Africa Test, Wallabies flank Rocky Elsom and Springbok prop CJ van der Linde, will have to wait a while longer before they will know their fate.
Elsom fronted a SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) disciplinary hearing in Durban on Monday, after being cited for foul play during the Wallabies' 27-15 win over the Boks in Durban. Elsom was called before the hearing after pulling down Springbok lock Victor Matfield in a line-out.
A decision following the two-hour hearing was deferred by Judicial Officer Nick Davidson of New Zealand and will only be announced on Tuesday.
Van der Linde was also cited for foul play, after charging head first into an opponent at a ruck, with the decision on his case also deferred.
* Meanwhile the injured Wallabies pairing of lock Daniel Vickerman and inside centre Berrick Barnes are returning to Australia on Monday.
The pair, who both sustained shoulder injuries in the encounter in Durban which have ruled them out of Saturday's re-match against South Africa in Johannesburg, are scheduled to arrive back in Australia on Wednesday afternoon.
The loss of the two players has been partially compensated by the arrival from Australia of Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe, who is scheduled to join the team in Durban later on Monday, ahead of the Wallabies' penultimate Tri-Nations fixture.
The Wallabies side to play South Africa will be named on Thursday.
Lock/back row forward Hugh McMeniman, who was a late withdrawal from the historic win due to illness, is on the road to recovery and is expected to be fit for selection.
