British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O’Brien is free to play in Saturday’s Test series decider against New Zealand after a citing complaint was dismissed, while the All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams is out, having been suspended for four weeks following his red card.

O’Brien was reported by match citing commissioner Scott Rowland for allegedly striking New Zealand wing Waisake Naholo during Saturday’s second Test.



O’Brien denied he committed an offence during a three-man judicial hearing in Wellington on Sunday, with the citing complaint subsequently dismissed, the New Zealand Rugby Union announced.

In a statement, New Zealand Rugby said: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the evidence available, including all video footage and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representative Max Duthie, the independent judicial committee comprising Adam Casselden SC (chair), David Croft and John Langford dismissed the citing complaint.”

The news is a huge boost for the Lions as they target victory in Auckland next weekend, which would give them a first Test series triumph against New Zealand since 1971.

Uncompromising Leinster forward O’Brien impressed in the second Test win, and he is set to be a key part of Lions head coach Warren Gatland’s plans at Eden Park.

Williams, meanwhile, received a 25th-minute red card from French referee Jerome Garces following a shoulder charge into Lions wing Anthony Watson’s head at Westpac Stadium. And Williams was hit with a ban when he appeared before a three-man judicial panel in Wellington on Sunday, with the New Zealand Rugby Union announcing a verdict that means he misses next weekend’s Test series decider.

