Jordan Taufua refuses to hold a grudge against Jean Deysel.
Deysel's decision to ram his boot into Taufua's face earned him a red card at AMI Stadium but within minutes of the fulltime whistle the Sharks flanker made his peace with his Crusaders opponent.
"He came up to me and apologised to me at the end and I just told him ‘no hard feelings mate, it's a contact sport'," Taufua said.
"I think it was just a heat of the moment thing you know? I think he was trying to get back on his D-line and just reacted. I'm not angry at him or anything. I have got no grudge."
Deysel's moment of madness, in the 16th minute, happened when Taufua grabbed his foot following a ruck. Despite Taufua letting go, the South African looked down and plunged his boot into his mouth. After consulting with the TMO referee Rohan Hoffman sent Deysel off.
Taufua, who needed medical attention, suffered a cut and spent several minutes on the ground before playing on.
Although he forgave Deysel for his actions, Taufua didn't believe it was an accident.
"I was just holding on to him in a ruck and then he just got me good. He stomped me in the mouth. There was a bit of blood but that's rugby mate."
Deysel has been cited by Sanzar judicial for contravening the IRB's sanction for foul play, law 10.4 (b) for stamping or trampling. The low end entry point for this offence is two weeks and mid-range is five weeks. The top end is nine to 52 weeks.
Sharks coach Jake White refused to defend Deysel's actions, yet maintained he was not a grubby operator.
"I can't stand here and protect a guy and condone that sort of thing," White said.
"It's not like him, that's the thing I feel most embarrassed about.
"He's not a dirty guy, he's got an unbelievable record. He's a tough man carries the ball hard but I think he's as remorseful in the changing room as I would expect any player to be. It's not him."
