British and Irish Lions 2017: Sean O'Brien cited to put third Test in doubt as Sonny Bill Williams faces hearing

The Ireland flanker has been accused of a swinging arm that knocked out All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo

Jack de Menezes

Wellington

Sunday 02 July 2017 03:30 BST

Sean O'Brien has been cited for an alleged swinging arm tackle on Waisake Naholo (Getty)

Sean O'Brien could miss the decisive third Test between the British and Irish Lions and New Zealand after being cited for an alleged swinging arm in Saturday's 24-21 victory over the All Blacks.

O'Brien was one of the Lions' star performers as the Lions made the most of their numerical advantage, following Sonny Bill Williams' red card, to level the three-test series in Wellington.

However, the Ireland flanker has been cited for making contact with the head of All Blacks' wing Waisake Naholo in a collision that forced the Highlanders back off the field for a head injury assessment, from which he would not return.

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Show all 30

1/30British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Israel Dagg – 6 out of 10

Dropped the first high ball he had to field that was a sign of things to come. Struggled with the conditions and will not have expected to face so much coming his way.

AFP/Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Waisake Naholo – 5 out of 10

Ran at times like a headless chicken as he followed the defenders rather than the ball. Did well to take an early cross-field kick, but suffered a head injury and didn’t return.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Anton Lienert-Brown – 5 out of 10

Little impact on his return to the side. Had one good run in the second half but did little else of note.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Sonny Bill Williams – 3 out of 10

Rightly sent-off for an intentional shoulder charge to the head of Watson that was meant to hurt him. First All Black to be sent-off since 1967.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Rieko Ioane – 5 out of 10

Wasn’t given the chances to make an impact as he was in Auckland and didn’t come off his wing enough to find work.

Getty Images for NZR

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Beauden Barrett – 6 out of 10

Struggled with his goal kicking as he missed three penalties that ultimately cost the All Blacks the game. Passing was accurate and he swept back well when the ball was kicked in behind. Moved to full-back for the second weekend in a row.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Aaron Smith – 6 out of 10

Wasn’t given the easy ride that he had at Eden Park, and the pressure affected his performance. His kicking was slightly off-target.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Joe Moody – 7 out of 10

Enjoyed a good battle with Tadhg Furlong that left them both equal in the scrum. Didn’t carry as well as his opposite man, though his defending was good.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Codie Taylor – 7 out of 10

Did incredibly well to soldier on after taking a knock midway through the first half and didn’t come off until the final minute. Lineout was much stronger this week and he should take credit for his throwing.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Owen Franks – 7 out of 10

Probably edged his battle with Vunipola but his removal gave the Lions the edge in the pack. Wonder if Steve Hansen’s preference to replace both props at the same time has cost him.

Getty Images for NZR

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Brodie Retallick – 6 out of 10

Not as effective as the first Test as the Lions won that physicality battle. Penalised twice by Jerome Garces at the breakdown.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Sam Whitelock – 6 out of 10

Came off second best in the battle of the second rows. Jumped well in the lineout.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Jerome Kaino – 5 out of 10

The unfortunate casualty of Williams’ red card as he was removed to allow Ngani Laumape to fill the gap in the centres.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Sam Cane – 7 out of 10

A presence again at the breakdown and won a penalty within 10 minutes when he got over Watson. Put in a big tackle on Farrell to make sure the centre knew he was watching him, and probably the All Blacks’ best performer.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Kieran Read – 6 out of 10

Should take credit for running the lineout to a 90 per cent success ratio, but he was not as prominent in the loose as last weekend.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

<b>Lions:</b> Liam Williams – 7 out of 10

Knocked the first box-kick forwards but posed problems for the All Blacks with his strong chasing off restarts. Smart pass gave Faletau the chance to score the opening try.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Anthony Watson – 6 out of 10

Wore a heavy blow to the head in Sonny Bill Williams’ red-card tackle. Struggled for space as he had to cut-back on the switch twice, one of which saw him penalised when he met Sam Cane. Gaps just aren’t breaking in his favour, though made a good break late in the game.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Jonathan Davies – 7 out of 10

Straightened the line usefully with the final play of the first half that led to a penalty. Kept his head late on to clear the ball immediately when in trouble.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Owen Farrell – 8 out of 10

Looked much happier with the extra time he was offered at 12. Will have been relieved to see Williams depart early, and grew into the game as it wore on. While Barrett felt the pressure, Farrell missed just one conversion and kicked the match-winning penalty.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Elliot Daly – 6 out of 10

Very quiet as the weather kept the ball away from his wing. Showed good awareness to retreat when All Blacks’ spotted space, but lengthy kick rolled dead to hurt the Lions.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Johnny Sexton – 7 out of 10

Overcooked one kick that rolled dead but had a nice one into space that put Ioane under pressure. Began to get his trademark loop going with Farrell that brought some success, though dropped a high ball when he appeared to panic.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Conor Murray – 7 out of 10

Given much more time on the ball though he took his time to come into the game. Took his moment brilliantly though to spot a gap and surge through to score.

Getty

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Mako Vunipola – 5 out of 10

Singled out for first penalty of the match when he collapsed the scrum, though Barrett’s poor kick let him off the hook. Lost his head when he conceded two penalties in three minutes for dangerous play. Guilty of being penalised four times.

AFP/Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Jamie George – 8 out of 10

Saw two lineouts go astray but carried well, not least when his surge set Murray up for his try, and put in a huge 80 minute shift that should not be knocked at Test level.

AFP/Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Tadhg Furlong – 7 out of 10

Impactful run early in the match as he took two All Blacks defenders with him in to the 22. Came off equal with Franks in an intriguing scrum battle and replaced by Kyle Sinckler midway through the second half.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Maro Itoje – 8 out of 10

The Test match animal that the Lions have been waiting for. Phenomenal in defence as he stole the ball and disrupted All Blacks’ possession. Started like a house on fire, and he would have scored a nine had he not started leaking penalties in the second half.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Alun Wyn Jones – 8 out of 10

Much better start to the match and rewarded Gatland for his faith in him. Delivered what was expected of him and carried much stronger this week. Looked like the Lion he is famous for in past tours.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Sam Warburton – 7 out of 10

Good offload released Jones in the first half and dogged work at the breakdown slowed All Blacks’ ball that left opposite skipper Read frustrated.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Sean O’Brien – 7 out of 10

Helped Sexton and Farrell by defending in-between them and carried brilliant as he took the fight to the All Blacks. Struggled to turn ball over but otherwise faultless.

Getty Images

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test

Taulupe Faletau – 8 out of 10

Popped up when it mattered most to score the first try and did exceptionally well to hold off Dagg and score. Carried well off the base.

Getty Images

O'Brien will face a hearing on Sunday for "allegedly striking All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo with a swinging arm...in the 19th minute of the second half" in a tackle that "is deemed to have met the threshold for a red card."

The incident was looked at during the match by TMO George Ayoub, who decided that the tackle was legal and not worthy of a penalty.

Lions tour video diary: Dream of winning tour a reality after Lions beat All Blacks

Should O'Brien be ruled out of the final Test, Lions head coach Warren Gatland would face a big decision over who to replace the Leinster forward with. Sam Warburton could be moved to open side to allow either Peter O'Mahony or CJ Stander to start on the blindside, while the alternative would see Warburton remain at No 6 and Justin Tipuric brought in to retain the breakdown threat that O'Brien offers.

All Blacks centre Williams will also face a hearing on Sunday before O'Brien to after being sent-off in the 25th minute of the second Test for a dangerous tackle on Lions wing Anthony Watson.

Williams hit the England international with a shoulder charge that connected to Watson's head, and upon review referee Jerome Garcia issued a straight red card that saw Williams become just the third All Black to be sent-off in a Teat match.

Williams is unlikely to be available for the third Test with a ban almost guaranteed, meaning that Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape could make his first start for New Zealand in the third Test, having made his debut off the bench on Saturday, although Steve Hansen confirmed on Sunday that an unnamed centre will be called up to the squad to cover for Williams and injured Crusaders centre Ryan Crotty.

Williams faces his hearing at 17:00 local time [06:00 BST] on Sunday, with O'Brien's taken place at 20:00 [09:00 BST].

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies