Dallaglio in the clear again

New Zealand are to let the Lawrence Dallaglio affair lie after World Cup bosses took no action against the England forward

New Zealand are to let the Lawrence Dallaglio affair lie after World Cup bosses took no action against the England forward. Dallaglio caught Jonah Lomu in the mouth with his knee during the All Blacks' 30-16 victory at Twickenham on Saturday.

But with the deadline for citing of 48 hours now passed, and with the number eight not facing a hearing, New Zealand - who are allowed to draw incidents to the attention of the disciplinary committee - will take no action themselves.

Coach John Hart said: "We've taken a view with citings that the process is there and we'll let it take its natural course.

"It's quite public, so I don't see it was necessary for the All Blacks to point it out to the citing commissioner.

READ MORE

"I won't discount using that in the future because I think we always have to have that option but I believe in the system being used."

New Zealand captain Taine Randell added: "We're still delighted with the result, so the players haven't given it too much thought."

Meanwhile, the All Blacks have made 11 changes to the side that started the England game for Thursday's final Pool B clash with Italy at Huddersfield.

Jonah Lomu, Randell, Jeff Wilson and Craig Dowd retain their places, while centre Pita Alatini, scrum-half Byron Kelleher and hooker Mark Hammell make their first World Cup starts.

The Scotland team to face Spain on Saturday is set to be shaped by a stomach virus which ruled three players out of training yesterday. Front-pair Paul Burnell and George Graham, plus veteran centre Alan Tait, all sat out yesterday's session at Murrayfield as the Five Nations champions regrouped following their weekend off.

Captain Gary Armstrong is struggling with a back injury, while John Leslie is definitely out as he bids to recover from his ankle sprain.

It means coach Jim Telfer may not be able to utilise his resources as he would have wished as he aims to ensure his team are fresh and ready to tackle their quarter-final play-off opponents - probably Argentina - at Murrayfield on October 20.

Telfer watched the Spanish in action against South Africa and was quietly impressed with the improvement they have made since they were crushed 85-3 in the qualifying tournament last December.

He refused point blank to countenance questions on a mouth-watering last-eight clash with New Zealand.

"After what I saw on Saturday, I am not taking anything for granted," said the Scotland coach.

"Before the game I wondered if they were up to the standard of a Super 12 province. But they looked like an international team, and we will have to be on our guard on Saturday."

However, Telfer is still looking to blood a number of new faces on Saturday.

These could include young fullback Chris Paterson, who may take over from Glenn Metcalfe, Scotland's most potent attacking threat so far in the competition.

His older men such as Tait and Graham may be rested anyway, along with those - like flanker Martin Leslie - whom he cannot risk being injured.

NEW ZEALAND: J Wilson; G Osborne, P Alatini, D Gibson, J Lomu; T Brown, B Kelleher; G Feek, M Hammett, C Dowd, I Jones, R Willis, D Mika, T Randell (capt), A Blowers. Replacements: C Cullen, A Mehrtens, R Duggan, S Robertson, R Brooke, C Hoeft or K Meeuws, A Oliver.