Rugby: Scottish professor set to lead inquiry into alleged All Black head-butt

Scottish law professor and ex-referee Lorne Crerar has been appointed to head up a disciplinary inquiry involving Keven Mealamu after the New Zealand hooker was cited in the wake of his side's 26-16 victory over England at Twickenham.

It is being alleged by citing commissioner John West, of Ireland, that Mealamu head-butted England captain Lewis Moody ten minutes into the second half.

If found guilty, Mealamu would almost certainly miss Saturday's EMC Autumn Test with Scotland at Murrayfield.

News of the citing broke as the All Blacks flew into Edinburgh to begin their preparations for Saturday's match.

"It surprises me. He's probably the cleanest player in the world, isn't he? It was purely accidental as far as I know," said All Black coach Graham Henry, who said he had not seen replays of the incident.

New Zealand media sources were today speculating on the length of any punishment should Mealamu be found guilty, with comparisons being made involving the nine-week ban handed out to Springbok lock Bakkies Botha after head-butting All Blacks scrum-half Jimmy Cowan during a Tri-Nations Test at Auckland in July.

Any ban for Mealamu would give rise to worries at hooker, where Andrew Hore is on the way back from injury. Winger Cory Jane is doubtful with rib damage.