16 Nov 2012

IRB reviewing Thomson's one-match ban

11:40 am on 16 November 2012

The International Rugby Board is reviewing All Black flanker Adam Thomson's one-week match ban for raking Scottish forward Alasdair Strockosh over the head in Monday's test at Murrayfield.

The former England hooker Brian Moore has described Thomson's suspension as ludicrously lenient, particularly after Wallabies lock Rob Simmonds recieved an eight-week suspension for a dangerous tackle in their test against France.

The decision means Thomson won't be considered for this weekend's match against Italy in Rome.

The apparent inconsistencies in the penalties have led to IRB chief executive Brett Gosper saying on Twitter the IRB will review this case as it is a match under their jurisdiction.

Thomson was sin-binned during the match whereas Simmons wasn't given a card during the test as the incident was spotted by the referee.

The Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has also criticised the Thomson verdict and compared it with the three-week ban he received from England's Rugby Football Union last year, for sarcastic tweets he made about an English player.

Good news on the injury front with Ben Smith's fractured cheek bone unlikely to keep him out more than a week, however there are still concern about Tamati Ellison's toe injury.