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Last Updated: Monday, 28 November 2005, 09:30 GMT
'Distraught' Moody faces hearing
Lewis Moody and Alesana Tuilagi come to blows at Twickenham
England's Lewis Moody and Samoa's Alesana Tuilagi will face disciplinary hearings on Monday following their red cards at Twickenham on Sunday.

Moody, who has already served a six-week ban this season for punching, could be facing another long suspension after brawling with Tuilagi.

Coach Andy Robinson said. "Lewis is distraught and disappointed and we hope it can all be sorted out."

The brawl was sparked by Tuilagi's dangerous tackle on Mark Cueto.

Cueto ran over to confront Tuilagi, who punched him in the head, before Moody rushed in and unleashed a barrage of his own on Tuilagi.

Moody's previous ban was for an offence in a Leicester second team match against Leeds.

And under the new disciplinary code this year, Moody faces the possibility of a ban which could rule him out of the Six Nations, depending on how his offence is viewed.

The maximum punishment for striking a player is now 12 months.

We are not condoning it and it's disappointing
England coach Andy Robinson
"He should get a lengthy ban," said former England centre Jeremy Guscott, speaking on Sunday Grandstand.

"He has a reputation now, a bit like Martin Johnson used to, and opposition players will pin-point that frustration. They know he will go off his head and lose his rag pretty quickly.

"He needs to have a little board meeting with himself and think 'I am not doing myself any good and I am not doing my team any good. I am useless off the field, so let me concentrate on what I am doing on it'."

"Rugby is a physical game and sometimes it erupts but we are not condoning it and it's disappointing," Robinson said.

"Lewis is really upset with what happened and I feel for him a little bit because he's worked so hard."

ENGLAND TEST DISMISSALS
Lewis Moody v Samoa (2005)
Simon Shaw v NZ (2004)
Danny Grewcock v NZ (1998)
Mike Burton v Aus (1975)
Moody became only the fourth England player to receive a red card in a Test, and the first since Simon Shaw in the summer of 2004.

Tim Rodber was also sent off for fighting during a provincial match on England's tour of South Africa in 1994.

"Mark Cueto got taken in the air and tipped on his head and Lewis went in to speak to Tuilagi. Unfortunately a punch got thrown on Lewis and it just erupted and the referee made the decision to red-card both people," Robinson added.

"Players will get cited and we don't want to prejudice a fair hearing.

It is hard as players to see one of your mates up-ended on his back
England captain Martin Corry
"It's now down to the citing commissioner. It's obvious what happened when you look at the tapes."

Samoa's physical approach saw a succession of high tackles with fly-half Tanner Vili also sin-binned for his challenge on Cueto earlier in the game.

"Samoa pride themselves on defence and they defended magnificently well in the first half," added Robinson.

"But a couple of high shots were dangerous, and that does need to be cleaned out of the game."

England captain Martin Corry said he empathised with Moody's actions during the punch-up.

"We are developing really good team spirit and it is hard to see one of your mates up-ended on his back," Corry said.

"You never know how you will react until the situation actually occurs."




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SEE ALSO
Cueto takes blame for Moody brawl
28 Nov 05 |  Internationals
England 40-3 Samoa
26 Nov 05 |  Internationals
Punch earns Moody a six-week ban
20 Sep 05 |  English


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