New Zealand tour
Woodcock escapes further punishment
Scrum.com
November 19, 2008
Rory Best of Ireland battles with Tony Woodcock of New Zealand for possesion in a lineout during the Guinness series match between Ireland and New Zealand at Croke Park on November 15, 2008 in Dublin Ireland.
Woodcock and Ireland's Rory Best vie for a loose ball during last weekend's clash at Croke Park © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Tony Woodcock
Teams: New Zealand

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock is free to play against Wales at the Millennium Stadium this weekend after escaping sanction at an IRB judiciary hearing this evening.

At the hearing today in Dublin, Woodcock admitted that he had committed an act of foul play in that he "struck an opponent with his hand" in the 22-3 victory against Ireland last Saturday.

While upholding the citing by the IRB's independent Citing Commissioner and as accepted by the player, the IRB Judicial Officer, Professor Lorne Crerar considered that the act of foul play did not warrant a red card and no further sanction was appropriate.

Woodcock was cited for punching Irish hooker Rory Best two minutes into the second half of the Croke Park clash. The 47-test veteran was penalised and sinbinned for the offence but it was deemed serious enough to warrant an investigation by Scottish IRB judicial officer Crerar.

What may have worked in Woodcock's favour is the fact the incident was dealt with at the time by South African referee Mark Lawrence. It is rare for a player to be cited unless the offence was at the serious end of the scale -- and Best's ability to play on suggests that was not the case.

Woodcock remains an integral part of the All Blacks' first choice front row for the remaining tests against the Six Nations champions Wales this weekend and England at Twickenham on November 29.

He was bracketed in the All Blacks' team for this weekend's match in Cardiff prior to the result of this hearing and is now expected to retain his place.

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