Sam Tuitupou is cited for Munster
Munster’s Sam Tuitupou might receive a ban for his dangerous tackle in the Heinken Cup first round match with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
The centre will face a disciplinary hearing in Dublin tomorrow and will expect to miss Munster’s next Heineken Cup match against Toulon.
Tuitupou was cited after he spear tackled the London Irish scrum half Paul Hodgson. The incident was picked up during the game and Tuitupou was given a yellow card and sent off for 10 minutes.
Munster were defeated by London Irish 23-17, but Tuitupou scored a crucial try in the dying minutes of the game to give Munster a bonus point.
However, the citing commissioner Ray Wilton believes that the Munster back should face the disciplinary commission. Wilton cited the player under the Law 10.4j, which states that, “Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving a player into the
ground,” is unacceptable.
If Tuitupou is found guilty of the offence he may face up to 10 weeks out with a suspension. The fact that he was punished during the game may lead to a more lenient ruling.
Munster manager Tony McGahan will be concerned that another centre may be missing for some of the Heineken Cup group games.
Lifeimi Mafi is already serving a seven week suspension and will miss Munster’s clash with Toulon.
Keith Earls has only returned from injury and was substituted in the match against London Irish after it appeared that he picked up another injury.
With Jean de Villiers leaving the club at the end of the season Munster have found themselves with a shortage of centres and winger David Hurley may be asked to play in the midfield if Earls can’t recover in time to face Toulon.
Full back, Paul Warwick will be another option for the Munster side, but with a lack of specialists in that position McGahan will hope that Tuitupou will receive no ban.
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