Head stomping sours thrilling clash between Southland and Wellington

SOUTHLAND 22 WELLINGTON 20

Southland No 8 Paul Miller has been cited for stomping on the head of Wellington prop John Pale late in their thrilling first-division win in Invercargill.

Television coverage clearly showed Miller stomping on Pale, who received two cuts near his eye that required stitches.

The incident appeared to be missed by referee Kevin Rowe and his touch judges, but Wellington captain Tana Umaga reacted instantly with a challenge on Miller.

Umaga said yesterday that he was still angry at the stomp, though Miller had apologised straight away and claimed it was an accident.

"I saw the foot come down and though Miller said it was an accident and that he was going for the ball, I was pretty pissed off," Umaga said. "Anything near the head is not on."

He was surprised Rowe and the touch judges missed the incident.

"It was as if nothing had happened.

"I was pretty angry, but I was worried about us ending up with 14 men if I did anything about it."

Miller was cited yesterday by commissioner Steve Hinds, whose report will be considered today by complaints review officer Roger Drummond.

It was an unfortunate end to the game for Southland, who did everything right to claim a crucial victory.

The home side outscored Wellington three tries to one, led for most of the match and defended gamely in the second half.

Even then, they could have been denied at the last, but Wellington first five-eighths Riki Flutey, who had kicked five penalties from as many attempts, missed a simple conversion which should have given his team a late draw.

Southland began aggressively and profited early when hooker David Hall crashed over from a drive after 12 minutes.

Southland first five-eighths Ash Barron converted to give the home side a 7-3 lead, but Flutey shortened the gap to 7-6 with a well-struck penalty.

Wellington could not stop another forward rumble which saw Southland bash their way over through Hale T-Pole from a lineout five metres out after 23 minutes.

Flutey was again asked to keep his team in touch, his penalty three minutes later cutting the score to 12-9, and then Southland had a forward try disallowed when Rowe ruled that a player had run in front of the ball carrier.

Barron added three more points just before halftime to give Southland a 15-9 lead at the break.

The second half started in exceptional circumstances, with Southland flanker Ben Herring intercepting an infield pass and crashing over within 10 seconds of the restart.

Wellington tried to up the tempo despite the wet conditions, but were rewarded with only two Flutey penalties .

With three minutes remaining, Wellington were hard on the Southland goal line and Herring was sinbinned for a professional foul.

Rowe gave Wellington a free kick and Rodney So'oialo tapped and scored a soft try.

But Flutey, who had not missed a kick all day, sent the conversion wide from almost in front.

- NZPA