Collins to miss All Blacks' Tri-Nations decider

Jerry Collins. Picture / Fotopress

All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins will miss Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby decider against Australia after receiving a two week ban for punching in yesterday's 31-27 test win over South Africa.

Collins was cited for punching replacement Springboks first five-eighth Jaco van der Westhuyzen after a brawl broke out following a scrum at Carisbrook in the 48th minute.

A Sanzar judiciary committee today found Collins' punching was excessive and disproportionate to the threat from the opponent.

The committee banned Collins from all rugby until September 10, ruling him out of Saturday's test at Eden Park.

If the All Blacks beat the Wallabies, they will win the Tri-Nations.

The committee noted Collins was one of the principal protagonists during the melee and continued to punch van der Westhuyzen while the South African was on the ground.

Collins has been suspended on three previous occasion, in each case the offences related to reckless and dangerous tackles.

In 2004 he received two, two-week suspensions, one for a dangerous tackle on Crusaders Super 12 lock Chris Jack and the other for a high tackle on Southland NPC No 8 Paul Miller.

In Collins' defence, All Blacks selector Sir Brian Lochore, who attended the hearing said each of Collins' previous suspensions arose form poor technique rather than malice.

The player favoured to take Collins' place in the All Blacks starting lineup on Saturday is Waikato loose forward Sione Lauaki, who wasn't needed off the reserve bench last night. Lauaki made his first test start in the third test against the Lions.

- NZPA