Gloucester Citizen column 22/06/09
The Lions narrowly lost 26-21 in the three-Test match series opener in Durban after the former Gloucester tight-head prop was given a torrid time in the scrum by the Springboks' Tendal Mtawarira.
The 33-year-old has thrown his battered body into thousands of scrums over a long career, but he was left baffled by decisions of New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence.
On two occasions Vickery was penalised in his own half, which led to the hosts adding another vital six points to their tally.
After being hauled off five minutes into the second period following a heated conversation with the match official at the break, Vickery says he will accept whatever decision head coach Ian McGeechan now makes.
"It is difficult to judge, but you have just got to take that and whatever the repercussions of that will be, you have just got to get on with it.
"If I am not selected for next week then that's life, you have to move on with it. You have to worry about that when the guys announce the team.
"But I am not going to get down about it. I am disappointed with my performance, but it is about the team.
"Whatever happens for next Saturday I have to make sure I do everything I can to make sure the team is successful whether I am involved or not."
Vickery's captain Paul O'Connell backed his team-mate.
"Bryce said that Phil was constantly boring in," he said. "I didn't think so but it is hard to see.
"Phil is a very experienced player and how he was seen to be making the same mistake four or five times in a row is beyond me."
McGeechan will take the matter up with International Rugby Board referees chief Paddy O'Brien as part of the official protocol before the second Test.
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