All Blacks Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa cited after Ireland win; NZ Herald

All Blacks pair Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa have been cited following yesterday's bruising 21-9 win over Ireland in Dublin.

Cane clashed with Ireland's Robbie Henshaw and the Leinster midfield back was carried from the field on a stretcher as a results. Fekitoa was sinbinned for a high tackle in the 48th minute when he went in high on Simon Zebo and received a yellow card.

World Rugby's Autumn International Disciplinary released a statement confirming the news.

"Sam Cane, the New Zealand flank forward, for allegedly tackling an opponent dangerously in the 11th minute of the first half of the match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium (Law 10.4 (e)).

"Malakai Fekitoa, the New Zealand centre, for allegedly tackling an opponent dangerously in the same match (Law 10.4 (e)).

"Disciplinary hearings for the players will be held in the next two days in front of independent disciplinary committees of three."

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is adamant Cane is not guilty of any offence.

He said he had reviewed the incident on video since the game and it was clear the incident was a "head clash".

"The first contact is their heads hitting," he said.

Meanwhile, England second row Joe Launchbury has been cited for allegedly kicking an opponent during Saturday's victory over Fiji.

The dual citings will further fuel the outrage of Irish fans and media.

Former Ireland lock and No 8 Neil Francis, writing in the Irish Independent, kept up the attack on the All Blacks for their tactics today.

"Sam Cane shoulder-charged Henshaw, an act which left the Irish centre in distress and twitching on the ground. The tackle that I saw was a shoulder-charge which ended in contact with Henshaw's face. Irrespective of whether Cane attempted to complete a wrap is irrelevant - the point of contact was shoulder to face and that is a red card.

"Later in the second half Malakai Fekitoa's challenge on Simon Zebo was also worthy of a red. World Rugby issues these diktats on the sanctity of the head and the safety issues which predominate the modern game are allegedly their number one concern. Why their referees don't pay attention to what the governing body is saying is beyond me.

"Not only did the match officials get it wrong on the foul play, they got it wrong on all the other rule-breaking too. New Zealand conceded 14 penalties to Ireland's four yesterday. Can you call that indiscipline or do we call it cynicism? Every time Ireland got close to New Zealand's line they would kill the ball, not roll away or stray offside from the next recycle."

 Could be trouble for the ABs as the official have been stressing arms in tackle & high tackles. This tour has already had its fair share of problems for the ABs.
Beeno no doubt will not have anything to say on this article

 It was a tough game there is no doubt about that, I see that Hansen has pointed out that the Irish players used the head roll & that a lot more was going on in the game. Not that we would complain of course, we are just trying to help

 Cane shouldnt have even been penalized ,Fecks was a stupid tackle but I doubt it was malicious .I notice that the head-high on Barrett fot nothing .With a few rare exceptions such as the excellent MO[NH] Irish fans have been a bunch of graceless arseholes this week,I have been on many forums and the gracelessness is astounding .Especially given the overwhelmingly positive response from Kiwis after the Chicago game one win after 111 years seems to have given many Irish fans a sense of entitlement and one wonders how they would behave with a record like the ABs .NZ fans and their team are often accused of being arrogant but with a notable exception here I think our Saffa friends would agree we see little of that on this site and we are able to enjoy some banter without bitterness .I used to have a soft spot for Ireland and their fans but not real enthused after wht I have seen this weekend , hell time and again Maccaw was admonished for not gushing over the opposition but Rory Best had nothing at all to say about NZ not that I actually care if they dont but STFU if you dont apply it to your guys I reckon.At least the vast majority of saffa fans can handle a win against the ABs with some grace.Rant over that is all ! .

Exactly Wardad, one win and suddenly they become this arrogant, entitled bit* ches!

 If they beat the Poms they can say what they like as far as I am concerned

 Fekitoa deserved Red card for that tackle... and Cane well clearly tried to make it look like accident...
Go Ireland - shows ABs on the slide... and clearly very cynical tactics for whole game -Love to see stats showing WHERE ABs conceded penalties Id be very surprised if 80-90% of them within their 22 - cheating tactic and needs to be more exposed.
BTW you kiwis like that SMOKING in the league... LOLLOLOLOLOLOLOL
I think England will beat the AIG record for most games in a row... only need to beat Aussies in 2 wks and they'll do it...

 ...Redsman if they beat yr hapless team of drunkards,  England will only be on 14...so they still have to go through the 6 Nations undefeated and then beat Scotland at Twickenham on March 11 next year to equal the record...try to keep up mate..
...in the ABs vs Ireland game the the ABs were penalised 400% more than the Irish by the dopey little yarpy ref but we still kicked their butts... and Irish fans are carrying on like hysterical little schoolgirls about some of the tackling for some reason..
In the league i missed the game but i hear we won the second half and are still World Champions according to Wikipaedia..

RLIF World Rankings

Official Rankings as of Nove mber 2016[1]

Rank

Change

Team

Points

1

 New Zealand

2

 Australia

3

 England

4

 Samoa

5

 France

6

 Fiji

7

 Ireland

8

 Wales

9

 Scotland

 Irish fans ignoring things like the deliberate head high on Barrett etc and droning on like the Pope just put their team up for sainthood.

 Both sides played with passion. Both sides gave it their all. Both sides were focused and approached the test match with determination.
They knew it would be a war zone. 
These things happen ... it is after all a contact sport. 
I wish the Boks would approach the match with such steely determination.
Storm in a teacup if you ask me.

 I hope the Wallabies at beat England I shall barrack for them in that one and maybe teach the Irish some humility .What about you redneck would you barrack against the Wallabies just on the off chance they might get the record ? Cut off your nose to spite your face ?CC is right its a storm in a tea cup and in SH comps would pass unnoticed but the hysterical NH school girls love to whine and carry on .Way less cards handed out in the SH and thats OK with me.