Hines cited for tackle as Lions held to 13-13 draw

Published on 24/06/2009 01:52

BRITISH and Irish Lions lock Nathan Hines faces a disciplinary hearing today after being cited for alleged foul play. The Australia-born Scotland international has been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle during the Lions' 13-13 draw against the Emerging Springboks in Cape Town last night.

The incident went unpunished by Irish referee Alain Rolland but the match citing commissioner has now made a complaint. Under the Lions' tour agreement in South Africa, the citing commissioner has a 12-hour window to report any incidents or foul play. Hines is the first Lions player to face possible disciplinary action, with the ten-match tour having just two games remaining.

Hines is alleged to have dangerously tackled his opposite number Wilhelm Steenkamp and dropped him to the ground. Hines will now appear before Canadian judicial officer Alan Hudson at the Western Province Rugby Union offices in Cape Town this morning. If found guilty, Hines could receive a ban long enough to mean he will play no further part on tour.

Speaking before the citing was announced, Lions head coach Ian McGeechan insisted the Lions had "avoided a banana skin" despite being held to a last-gasp draw. Danwel Demas scored in the corner with the final attack of the match and Willem de Waal sealed a famous result for the Emerging Springboks with a brilliant touchline conversion.

McGeechan said: "It was a potential banana skin we have got through. It was a million miles from what we want at the weekend. The conditions were always going to be a leveller. Not a lot of rugby was played there."

The Lions management will meet today to finalise their team selection for Saturday.