Cueto cleared of dangerous tackle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England wing Mark Cueto has been cleared to play in Saturday's second Test against Australia after being found not guilty of a dangerous tackle on Wallaby centre Berrick Barnes.
Cueto was cited for a fifth minute incident in England's 27-17 defeat to Australia in Perth and he attended a disciplinary hearing today along with team manager Martin Johnson and elite rugby director Rob Andrew.
New Zealand judicial officer Peter Hobbs presided over the hearing in Sydney and dismissed the charge after reviewing the evidence.
"It is was good news that Mark got off his citing this morning," said Johnson.
Cueto would have been ruled out of the tour had he been found guilty but is now a certain starter on the right wing against the Wallabies next Saturday.
England have won just eight of the 22 Tests played since Martin Johnson was appointed as team manager in 2008, an inferior record to predecessors Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson.
Scrum coach Graham Rowntree backed Johnson as the right man for the job and insisted a "breakthrough victory" in Sydney would do wonders for the team.
"I have got every faith in him," said Rowntree, who played with Johnson for Leicester and England.
"He is a mate and I trust him. I trust his rugby knowledge. He is good with people. He is the right man for the job.
"He gets a couple of wins under his belt and everyone will be saying the same.
"We can't hide from the fact we are not getting those wins but we can't stop trying.
"I can't think of the last occasion that a team scored two penalty tries and lost.
"How do you think we feel after last night? We had a chance there with all their injuries. We are gutted.
"I believe we are still progressing. That team that won the World Cup in 2003 was not perfect for a long time.
"You ask Jonny Wilkinson when the switch was flicked that made England a World Cup-winning team - it was winning in Wellington, winning in Melbourne and at Lansdowne Road a few months earlier.
"We are desperate for that (breakthrough) win."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments