New Zealand have confirmed they will fight “to the death” against the four-week ban handed down to hooker Keven Mealamu for an apparent headbutt on England’s Lewis Moody.
All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen confirmed the appeal will be lodged and possibly heard by an International Rugby Board (IRB) panel on Friday.
The IRB last night found Mealamu guilty of headbutting Moody in the All Blacks’ 26-16 win at Twickenham last Saturday, but was spared an eight-week suspension due to his “exemplary disciplinary record” in his 82-Test career.
Hansen, who formed part of Mealamu’s defence team during last night’s two-hour hearing, said: “We’re defending a guy whose character has been questioned and it shouldn’t be.
“He’s a one-off special person. He hasn’t got a dirty bone in his body. He’s not a dirty player, he never has been. This is a case we’ll go to the death on.”
Hansen revealed Mealamu’s ban had affected morale in the All Blacks’ camp.
“The guys were gutted because he can’t play and more importantly they were gutted for Kevie because of the man he is,” he added.
“Everyone knows it’s not in his nature to do that and everyone knows if Kevie says he didn’t do it, he didn’t do it.”
Television footage of the incident showed Mealamu grabbing Moody by the jersey and then diving forward, making contact with the back of England captain’s head.
It is understood Mealamu’s defence team claimed he made contact with Moody with his shoulder, rather than his head.
The 31-year-old was cited along with Tana Umaga for a spear tackle on British and Irish Lions skipper Brian O’Driscoll early in the first Test of their 2005 tour, only to be cleared after the hearing.
He was frustrated by the verdict on this occasion and said: “I’m gutted to be honest, really disappointed. I don’t feel the outcome shows what sort of person I am.
“I’ve played more than 100 Super games and 82 tests and never had any foul play against me. I do take it personally. I’m not that sort of person.”
Mealamu’s ban means All Blacks coach Graham Henry is set to turn to uncapped Hawke’s Bay hooker Hika Elliot when he names his XV for Saturday’s Test against Scotland later today.
Andrew Hore is the other hooker in the squad, but is short of match practice following a shoulder injury.
Should New Zealand’s appeal fail, Mealamu will be suspended until December 4th, ruling him out of Saturday’s match with Scotland at Murrayfield as well as the remainder of the All Blacks’ tour fixtures against Ireland in Dublin on November 21st and Wales in Cardiff a week later.
With Mealamu’s appeal set to be heard on Friday at the earliest, All Blacks coach Graham Henry is set to turn to uncapped Hawke’s Bay hooker Hika Elliot when he names his XV for Saturday’s Test.
Andrew Hore is the other hooker in the squad, but is short of match practice following a shoulder injury.