Lions' Nathan Hines banned

Published Wednesday, 24 June 2009
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British and Irish Lion Nathan Hines has received a one-week ban that will rule him out of contention for the second Test against South Africa in Pretoria.

The Scotland forward was cited for a dangerous tackle on Emerging Springboks' lock Wilhelm Steenkamp during Tuesday's drawn tour game at Newlands.

Hines was represented by Richard Smith QC, while Lions manager Gerald Davies and head coach Ian McGeechan were also present at a hearing in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Hines, who will be available for the third Test in Johannesburg on Saturday week, has 24 hours to appeal against the decision.

Judicial officer Alan Hudson, of Canada, found 58-times capped Hines to be in breach of law 10.4 after he was reported by New Zealand citing commissioner Steve Hinds.

Hines was thought to have an outside chance of being on the bench this Saturday, as the Lions look to fight back and level the series following a 26-21 defeat in Durban last weekend.

The players have been training in specialist altitude masks in preparation for Saturday's crucial second Test in Pretoria, which stands around 5,000 feet above sea level.

The Lions are set to make changes to the front row, with tighthead Adam Jones and hooker Matthew Rees favourites to start after South Africa dominated the scrum for 50 minutes of the first Test.

Meanwhile, South Africa have enhanced their forward options for the second Test, with the return of Schalk Burger to the back row and the inclusion of five forwards on the bench.

© Press Association
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