jno, although spear tackles per se weren't illegal back then, dangerous tackles were (and still are).
From
http://mg.co.za/artic...b-speartackle-warning ...
> IRB head of communications Greg Thomas told Tuesday's edition of The Guardian newspaper: "The new footage shows that it was an unacceptably dangerous tackle and we are instructing referees to deal with this type of offence appropriately.
>
> "The laws do not make any mention of spear-tackling and there is a moratorium on law changes until after the 2007 World Cup but there is provision in the rules for players who commit this type of offence.
>
> "Our instruction is that it is a dangerous tackle and anyone found guilty of it should be dealt with at the higher end of the tariff -- that is to say they should be suspended for three to six months."
>
> However, Umaga and Mealamu will not face restropective punishment after South African match commissioner William Venter took no action against the pair following their citing by the Lions in the immediate aftermath of the incident.