Tuqiri to face judiciary over McCaw tackle

Richie McCaw is upended in a tackle by Lote Tuqiri. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Rugby's judicial process will crank into gear this afternoon, after a horror spear tackle by Wallaby winger Lote Tuqiri left Richie McCaw prone on the Eden Park turf last night.

The tackle early in the second half left the All Black captain shaken and coach Graham Henry was not surprised it has warranted further attention.

"There's a process in place," Henry said. "That process is underway and we will wait for the result."

Citing commissioner Willem Venter - the same man who took no action following the alleged spear tackle by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu on Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll last year - cited Tuqiri late last night.

He was set to appear before a Sanzar judiciary committee at 10.00am today, but that time has since been rescheduled to 4.00pm.

Meanwhile, McCaw admitted he had been scared when he was upended. "I got a bit of a fright and I guess that's what happens when you're upside down. When you get in a position like that, you hope you come out all right. It did stretch things but I stayed out there until the end and it didn't do any damage."

What stretched belief was the fact referee Chris White and his assistants did not penalise the incident when it happened. "I didn't really think about it. Looking back, maybe [Iwas surprised it wasn't penalised], but I was more worried about myself at the time to be honest."

Tuqiri showed no concern for McCaw's health following the tackle and the Wallaby camp was unrepentant following the match. Tuqiri said he hadn't spoken to McCaw.

"Not at all. I saw him walk past just then. I didn't say anything."

Coach John Connolly said he thought McCaw's attempt to spin in the tackle added momentum to the process and made the tackle look worse than it was.

He also did not believe it should come under any more scrutiny from the match officials.

"I will be very disappointed [if Tuqiri is cited] in light of that test match", he said before hearing confirmation that the citing was official.

Connolly said it was very physical, very tough but very fair.

McCaw might disagree with the last suggestion.

Henry, in that cryptic way of his, clearly disagreed with the suggestion the Australians had played it hard but fair.

"We're not allowed to make comments. The penalty count was 13-4 against Australia - I think that was an indication."