Samoa centre Brian Lima was suspended for three weeks today for a dangerous tackle on England fly-half Johnny Wilkinson.

Unless he appeals successfully against the ban, the 35-year-old Lima, the only man to have played in five Rugby World Cups, will take no further part in the tournament.

Samoa lost the game 44-22 to end their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Lima had already made it clear that he would retire from rugby after the World Cup.

The RWC judicial officer upheld the citing complaint against Lima judging that his tackle on Wilkinson was "inherently dangerous and the swinging right arm of Brian Lima connected with considerable force on the neck/throat of the England number 10."

It was deemed to be a "deliberate rather than a reckless act" although the full sanction of six weeks was not imposed as Lima had never been previously sent off or cited.

Lima has 48 hours in which to appeal the decision

AFP
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