Rob Andrew takes top QC to New Zealand
ENGLAND'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER
By ADAM HATHAWAY
ROB ANDREW is taking a top barrister as part of England's tour party to New Zealand next month.
Bristol QC Richard Smith, helped keep England in the 2003 World Cup and defended skipper Phil Vickery in France last autumn when he was up before the beak for tripping an opponent, will be a key member of the backroom staff.
Director of elite rugby Andrew, who is taking charge of the trip in the absence of Martin Johnson, clearly anticipates problems down under and is taking no chances.
Five years ago England faced expulsion from the World Cup in Australia – or a docking of points – when they briefly had 16 men on the field during a pool match against Samoa in Melbourne.
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But Smith saved them when he got the punishment reduced to a £10,000 fine and England went on to win the tournament.
Then boss Clive Woodward said: "In court he was brilliant. He was worth his weight in gold."
There have been ugly incidents in England tours to New Zealand in recent times.
Danny Grewcock was sent off in Dunedin in 1998 for stamping and Simon Shaw was red-carded in 2004 in Auckland for kneeing an opponent.
Punishment
England, with Smith on board, managed to make sure Shaw was not punished further although Grewcock was handed a six-week ban for kneeing Kiwi superstar Dan Carter in the same match.
In 2003 Josh Lewsey's face was gashed from a boot by All Black lock Ali Williams but amazingly Williams escaped without punishment.
During the last World Cup Vickery was cited for tripping American Paul Emerick but got off with a two-match ban thanks to Smith.
Smith was also involved when Brian O'Driscoll was cynically spear tackled by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu on the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand. The tackle wrecked O'Driscoll's trip one minute into the Test series.
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