Bay of Plenty prop faces stomping ruling

Bay of Plenty prop Steve Simpkins will front up at the New Zealand Rugby Union judiciary in Wellington today to answer a charge of stomping.

Simpkins was cited following the Steamers' 14-11 upset win over reigning NPC first division champions Wellington at WestpacTrust Stadium on Sunday.

He was penalised by referee Paddy O'Brien early in the second half after touch judge Chris Pollock alleged the former Super 12 prop rucked Wellington flanker Rodney So'oialo's head.

So'oialo reacted to the incident, getting up from the ruck and taking a swing at Simpkins. Sunday's game was Simpkins' 94th for BoP.

It was BoP's first win over Wellington in the NPC.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Jon Brady said yesterday that Simpkins would fly to Wellington with his Rotorua-based lawyer to defend the charge.

Brady viewed the incident on video and said the replay was fairly inconclusive.

"You couldn't tell a lot from television so it's pretty hard to predict an outcome from [today's] hearing.

"What it does do though is send a message to everyone in the team that this is what they're now dealing with.

"Any incidents, no matter how innocuous, are caught on camera."

- NZPA