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High Times: Brian Lima reprimanded
Record-breaking Samoan centre Brian Lima has been cited for a dangerous tackle on England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson during their World Cup Pool A match in Nantes on Saturday.
England won the match 44-2 to keep alive their play-off hopes, with Wilkinson producing 24 of his team's points.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced in a statement on Sunday that citing commissioner Steve Hines had decided to bring the charge against the veteran Samoan midfielder - the first and only player to have appeared in five World Cup tournament.
Lima will appear at a hearing in Paris on Monday.
The citing against highlights the gross inconsistencies in the entire judicial process at the global showpiece. which have astounded and angered players and coaches alike.
It is not the first time Lima had been involved in a vicious late and dangerous charge.
In Samoa's opening match Samoa recklessly charged at Springbok fly-half André Pretorius, colliding with the Bok number 10's head long after the ball had gone.
Only, on that occasion Lima had come off second best and concussed himself.
However, his hit on Pretorius was far worse that his encounter with Wilkinson, yet he was cited for the high hit on Wilkinson and not the first incident - a late and dangerous tackle on Pretorius.
Lima lunged at Wilkinson during the second half. Referee Alan Lewis spoke to Lima and told him to keep his tackles "lower", while also awarding a penalty to England. But the match official took no further action.
Hines, though, has adopted a different stance, and Lima could now be ruled out of Samoa's final group game against the United States in Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.
Wilkinson was not hurt, but Lima has carved a reputation for his no-nonsense tackling, earning him the nickname "The Chiropractor".
It is these inconsistencies which have cast a shadow of controversy over the tournament, it officials and the judicial system.
