Judiciary gets busy after flare-ups in NPC games

By CHRIS RATTUE

Auckland lock Robin Brooke and Waikato prop Deacon Manu will face the judiciary following incidents in the latest round of the NPC.

Brooke has been cited by commissioner David Gray for punching Taranaki lock Keith Robinson in Friday night's match at New Plymouth. Robinson has not been called up as his retaliation punch, which felled Brooke, led to him being sinbinned during Auckland's win.

Manu is charged with stomping on Wellington halfback Jason Spice during a sometimes ill-tempered match won by Waikato at Hamilton yesterday. Spice needed medical attention on the field.

Commissioner Steve Hinds was last night reviewing another incident in the match, when Wellington loose forward Filo Tiatia appeared to dangerously ruck Waikato halfback Rhys Duggan. Tiatia was penalised, while Duggan left the field briefly but led the side out for the second half in the absence of the injured Deon Muir.