Waratahs forwards, Tolu Latu and Will Skelton, were cited following the side's 10-point win over the Crusaders in their grand final rematch in Sydney. Latu was originally yellow carded for a lifting tackle on the Crusaders Sam Whitelock but was later cited. While Skelton, who was also involved in the tackle, was lucky to get away for his part during the match, but was also cited following the match.

But the Waratahs will fight the charges of foul play on Monday afternoon when they face the judiciary. The Waratahs rejected a SANZAR plea deal following a video conference between Waratahs officials and SANZAR duty judicial officer Nigel Hampton on Sunday morning where the Tahs were given a chance to expedite the matter by entering a guilty plea for an undisclosed penalty.

The Waratahs rejected the offer, however, and both players will now face the judicial hearing tomorrow afternoon before the team leaves for South Africa on Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred in the 17th minute when both players lifted the Whitelock above the horizontal and was then dropped by both players onto his shoulder. The tackle fell under law 10.4 (j), which says: "Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player's feet are still off the ground such that the player's head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play", and the Citing Commissioner later deemed the tackle had "reached the red card threshold for foul play".

In a hard fought match there was plenty of big hits across the park, and the Waratahs managed to maintain a lead throughout the game and come out victors in a tough match to go to the top of the Australian Conference and now sit second on the overall points ladder.

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika may be surprised with the news of the citing this morning after he stated following the match he thought Skelton and Latu would likely miss further reprimand.

"The match officials were all there and they all took a long look," Cheika said. "He [Whitelock] didn't land on his head. It was an awkward combination of the two, they were trying to hold him up for the maul, one was up top. Sometimes it just happens, so I wouldn't expect anything was going to happen."

Cheika had already decided leading hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau would not be making the two week South African tour and if Latu is suspended, third string hooker Hugh Roach will have to take over the starting position with a player from club rugby likely to be plucked as back up.

While if Skelton is to be suspended, the Waratahs lock department will be bolstered by the return of former Wallaby Dean Mumm to the side. Mumm will join the squad in South Africa after completing his commitments in England.