Jerry Collins' appeal dismissed

2.45pm

Wellington flanker Jerry Collins has failed in his appeal to reduce a two week suspension for a high tackle, leaving him sidelined for the NPC first division playoffs.

A New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) appeal council upheld the punishment handed down by an NZRU judiciary for the tackle on Southland's Paul Miller during last Saturday's first division NPC match at Invercargill.

The appeal council of NZRU life member Ron Don, prominent administrator Charlie Rhodes and lawyer John Pringle ruled that the original sentence "was not manifestly excessive or unjust or wrong in principle".

They agreed with the earlier decision that the tackle made by Collins was a dangerous tackle and warranted a two-week suspension.

Collins will miss tonight's semifinal against Waikato here then next weekend's final if Wellington make it.

He will be available for the All Blacks' European tour next month.

In a four-page statement yesterday, Collins said he would ask for his two-week ban to be reduced to one week, rather than quashed completely.

That would have allowed Collins to play in the final next week, if Wellington beat Waikato.

"I believe this is in the best interests of the team and its preparation for this huge game," Collins said.

At the original hearing, Collins said he had made a concerted effort to change his tackling technique in the last five months and that his NPC, Super 12 and All Blacks coaches had presented evidence to that effect.

But he failed to convince the judicial committee of Bruce Squire, Mattie Blackburn and Bob Stuart.

"I'm very disappointed about the outcome. I'm a bit embarrassed at the moment because I've let my team down at a crucial part of the year," a tired Collins said after the hearing on Wednesday.

In their decision the committee said players had a responsibility not to tackle above the shoulders and that Collins had "failed to exercise that care."

They also took into account that Collins had appeared previously on a similar offence.

Collins maintained that his contact with Miller was not a tackle, was not dangerous and did not warrant a sending off.

However the committee were satisfied that Collins was guilty of a dangerous tackle, and that the referee was right to red card him.

The committee felt Collins' tackle was unacceptably high and carried an injury risk.

- NZPA