Elsom appeals one week ban

The Qantas Wallabies have decided to appeal flanker Rocky Elsom's one-match suspension handed down for an incident in the Men of Gold's historic win over South Africa in Durban last Saturday.
 
Rocky was cited for tackling South African captain Victor  Matfield in the air during a lineout in the game, which the Wallabies  won 27-15.   

After a detailed hearing in Durban on Monday, the SANZAR Judicial Officer for the match, Nick Davidson QC of New Zealand,  found Elsom guilty of the offence, and on Tuesday imposed a one week  suspension as the penalty.

This would rule the NSW Waratahs flanker out of this Saturday's Test against the Boks in Johannesburg.

The Wallabies had just completed their morning training session at the Durban Crusaders club when informed of the verdict. 

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who represented Rocky at the hearing, said the team was  disappointed by the outcome. The decision to lodge the appeal was reached after they had time to study the judgement in full.   
 
Elsom’s appeal will be heard by telephonic conference on Thursday (Thursday night AEST). The time and composition of the SANZAR Judicial Panel will be advised in due course.

The Springboks are also considering appealing a four week suspension imposed on prop CJ van der Linde on the charge of entering a ruck dangerously.