Coach spitting over Manu's suspension

Waikato prop Deacon Manu has been suspended for two weeks for reckless use of his feet on the head of Wellington and former Waikato halfback Jason Spice in an NPC match last Sunday.

But Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke is angry that Manu is among three forwards he has lost as a result of the Wellington match, and that Wellington players escaped punishment or even citing for incidents causing injury.

"Deacon's incident is a separate incident that's been dealt with and I think he would realise it was probably reckless use rather than something with intent," Searancke said.

"He and all the players would have learned a good lesson about being more prudent where you put feet.

"But I'm going to ask the question of the citing commissioner [former Wellington player Steve Hinds] as to why he didn't come up with any other citings from that match."

Waikato skipper and No 8 Deon Muir is out of tomorrow's home match against Taranaki with rib injuries and a lump on his head after being hit by a Wellington player flying at him on the side of a ruck, and blindside flanker Jonno Gibbes is out with a broken bone in his throat from a head-high tackle.

In addition, halfback Rhys Duggan was nursing a heavily bruised eye socket and has had to have a tooth capped after being stamped on by Wellington forwards Filo Tiatia and Inoke Afeaki.

Unlike Spice, Duggan spent time off the field receiving treatment after the trampling incident.

Gibbes' unusual injury could end his season if he cannot overcome the pain and discomfort it is causing.

"Jonno got hit by a swinging arm and it's broken a bone in his throat. It may be career-threatening, we don't know," Searancke said.

"It's definitely going to keep him out for a week or so. It's interesting that it was caused by an illegal act, which was penalised, and nothing else was done about it. So we've lost a player through that, and that annoys me.

"We can't see anything on the video, but Deon was hit by a flying missile - one of those guys who come in on the sides of rucks and mauls - which has basically buggered his ribs and left him with a big ball behind his ear."

Searancke said they had worked hard to get a team together who they could keep together for a number of games, making only minor changes, but now he has been forced to make several and start over again.

Manu will miss the Taranaki match tomorrow and an away game against Northland.

- NZPA