Sonny Bill Williams to miss British & Irish Lions decider after landing four-week ban
New Zealand centre pleads guilty in appearance before judicial panel in Wellington with midfielder out of third test against Lions
All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has been suspended for four weeks after being sent off for a dangerous shoulder charge in Saturday’s second test against the British & Irish Lions.
Williams became the first All Black in 50 years to be sent off in a rugby test when he was shown a red card in the 25th minute for making contact with the head of Lions winger Anthony Watson. The Lions went on to win 24-21 and to level the three-match series that will be decided in the third test in Auckland this weekend.
Williams pleaded guilty when he appeared before a judicial panel in Wellington on Sunday. The panel deliberated for more than two hours before imposing the suspension which rules the midfielder out of the third test.
“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,” Williams said after the hearing.
“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.”
