WELLINGTON • A remorseful All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams was yesterday suspended for four weeks for a dangerous tackle in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, ruling him out of the series decider in Auckland on Saturday.
"Just finished my hearing, ended up getting four weeks. Obviously really disappointed, but happy with being able to get in there and say my piece," the 31-year-old said after nearly three hours in front of a judicial disciplinary panel.
The double World Cup-winning centre was red-carded 25 minutes into the Test after a shoulder charge to the head of Lions wing Anthony Watson.
He did not contest the charge when he appeared before an all-Australian judicial panel at the New Zealand Rugby offices yesterday evening.
"They've come to the conclusion that it was reckless, that it wasn't intentional. I've got in contact with Anthony and I've apologised to him, but I'm very disappointed that I was sent from the field last night and that I let my brothers down," Williams added.
Lions flanker Sean O'Brien also appeared before the panel after being cited for a swinging arm hit on All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo. But he was cleared to play the third and final Test after being found not guilty of dangerous play.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed before the hearing that Williams would plead guilty.
"There's a (judicial) process, we trust the process. Sonny's paid a big price. The team's paid a big price for him making a mistake," Hansen said.
"He's disappointed. Not for himself, he accepts he's made a mistake, but he's disappointed because he's let the team down."
The All Blacks have already called Otago Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa into the squad as Williams' replacement with centre Ryan Crotty sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained in the first Test.
Although the All Blacks were forced to play with 14 men for 55 minutes after Williams was ejected from the field, the Lions did not hit the lead until three minutes from full time when Owen Farrell landed the match-winning penalty for a 24-21 victory.
The All Blacks won the first Test 30-15.
Williams is the third All Black to be sent off following Cyril Brownlie in 1925 and Colin Meads in 1967.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
