Sharks director of rugby Jake White has refused to defend Jean Deysel's moment of madness in Christchurch, but maintains he is not a dirty player.

Deysel was red-carded after stamping on the head of Crusaders flank Jordan Taufua in the 16th minute of the match, which the Sharks went on to win 30-25.

'I can't stand here and protect a guy and condone that sort of thing,' White said. 'It's not like him, that's the thing I feel most embarrassed about.

'He's not a dirty guy, he's got an unbelievable record. He's a tough man carries the ball hard but I think he's as remorseful in the changing room as I would expect any player to be. It's not him.'

Meanwhile, Taufua says he has forgiven Deysel.

'He came up to me and apologised to me at the end and I just told him “no hard feelings mate, it's a contact sport”,' Taufua told Fairfax Media. 'I think it was just a heat of the moment thing you know? I think he was trying to get back on his D-line and just reacted. I'm not angry at him or anything. I have got no grudge.'

Deysel has been cited for the incident and faces a Sanzar judicial hearing later in the week.

Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty Images