Sale Sharks’ Leinster challenge could get even tougher after ‘alleged bite’ while Ma’a Nonu also in the dock
Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu and All Blacks legend Ma'a Nonu, who have both been cited.
Sale Sharks could face Leinster without their two main hookers after Nathan Jibulu was cited for an alleged bite in their victory over Harlequins.
Luke Cowan-Dickie has already been ruled out of the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final – and the rest of the season – through injury and he could be joined on the sidelines by his fellow Englishman.
Jibulu has enjoyed a fine campaign and would be a more than able replacement in the cauldron of the Aviva Stadium, but that is now in doubt.
According to an EPCR statement, the front-rower will face a disciplinary panel later on Tuesday as he is “alleged to have bitten the Harlequins replacement prop, Will Hobson (No 17), in the 69th minute of the match, in contravention of Law 9.12.”
The odds were already stacked against Sale going into the Champions Cup knockout match but, with England internationals Bevan Rodd and Cowan-Dickie both absent, and Jibulu potentially following them, the Test-stacked Leinster will be expected to get the job done comfortably.
“Luke is a tough boy and he believes he’s broken his wrist or forearm,” Sharks boss Alex Sanderson said after their win over Harlequins in the round-of-16 encounter.
“Bevan dislocated his shoulder but had it put back in on the field, but I think that’s probably their season over with the summer tour for England also in jeopardy.”
Ma’a Nonu also cited
Jibulu is not the only player who will be in front of a disciplinary panel with All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu also cited.
Nonu was a late replacement in Toulon’s 28-27 triumph over the Stormers, but he was only on a for a few minutes as he was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Wandisile Simelane.
However, the citing commissioner believes that the incident may well have constituted a red and a committee will determine his fate later on Tuesday.
If suspended, the 43-year-old will miss Toulon’s Champions Cup quarter-final with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun on Saturday.
“EPCR has received a citing complaint against the RC Toulon replacement centre, Ma’a Nonu (No 23) following the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match between RC Toulon and DHL Stormers at Stade Félix Mayol on Saturday 4 April,” an EPCR statement read.
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“Nonu is alleged to have tackled the DHL Stormers replacement centre, Wandisile Simelane (No 23), in a dangerous manner, in the 79th minute of the match, in contravention of Law 9.13. Nonu was shown a yellow card by the referee, Christophe Ridley (England), for the incident.
“The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Dave Guyan (England).”
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