Rugby World Cup 2015: Diciplinary Update… suspensions for O’Brien, Ford, Gray & Bosch

Published 14 October 2015 | By grootblousmile

Here’s a quick summary of the Diciplinary Sanctions imposed on cited players of remaining Quarterfinal Countries – Argentina, Ireland and Scotland – following the weekend’s last Pool Stage games in the Rugby World Cup of 2015.

Marcelo Bosch of Argentina is suspended for 1 week, for a dangerous tackle
Sean O’Brien of Ireland is suspended for 1 week, for striking a player
Ross Ford of Scotland is suspended for 3 weeks, for his participation in a dangerous tip takle against Samoa
Jonny Gray of Scotland is suspended for 3 weeks, for his participation in a dangerous tip takle against Samoa

Scotland – Ross Ford & Jonny Gray:

Ross Ford

Jonny Gray

Ross Ford and Jonny Gray (Scotland) have each been suspended for 3 weeks for dangerous tackles contrary to Law 10.4(j).

Following a review of broadcast footage, Ross Ford and Jonny Gray were both cited by independent Citing Commissioner Scott Nowland (Australia) under Law 10.4(j) during the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool B match against Samoa at St James’ Park on 10 October.

Both players denied committing an act of foul play.

Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all broadcast angles and additional evidence, including from the players and submissions from their representative, the independent Judicial Officer Christopher Quinlan QC (England) was satisfied that each player committed an act of foul play contrary to law 10.4(j) and so upheld the citing.

In the IRB (now World Rugby) Memorandum on “Dangerous tackles” dated 8 June 2009 the Referees Manager and Judicial Panel Chairman highlighted that “tackles involving a player being lifted off the ground and tipped horizontally and were then either forced or dropped to the ground… must be dealt with severely by match officials and all those involved in the disciplinary process.”

With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point, namely 4 weeks. The Judicial Officer added 1 week for aggravation due to the need to deter this type of dangerous foul play. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the players’ conduct prior to and at the hearing, their expressions of regret, exemplary characters and excellent disciplinary records, the Judicial Officer reduced the suspension to a period of 3 weeks in respect of each player.

In the context of Rugby World Cup, 3 weeks equates to 3 matches and therefore neither of the players will be available to play for the remainder of Rugby World Cup 2015. Any remaining sanction not applied in the tournament context will revert to weeks for the players’ respective club fixtures.

The players have 48 hours in which to appeal from receipt of the written decision.

Ireland – Sean O’Brien:

Seán O’Brien (Ireland) has been suspended for 1 week for striking contrary to Law 10.4(a).

Following a review of available camera angles, O’Brien was cited by independent Citing Commissioner Dougie Hunter (Scotland) under Law 10.4(a) for striking with the hand, arm or fist during the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool D match against France at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 11 October.

O’Brien admitted committing an act of foul play and therefore the independent Judicial Officer Terry Willis (Australia) upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed an act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(a).

Willis conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representative.

With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 2 weeks. The Judicial Officer considered that there were no aggravating factors. The Judicial Officer took into account compelling mitigating factors including O’Brien’s conduct prior to and at the hearing, his remorse, good character and clean disciplinary record, and reduced the suspension to a period of 1 week.

In the context of the Rugby World Cup tournament a week equates to 1 match. The suspension takes effect immediately, therefore O’Brien is suspended for Ireland’s quarterfinal match against Argentina on Sunday 18 October 2015. He is free to resume playing on 19 October 2015.

The player has 48 hours in which to appeal from receipt of the written decision.

Argentina – Marcelo Bosch:

Marcelo Bosch’s dangerous tackle on Theuns Kotze

Marcelo Bosch (Argentina) has been suspended for 1 week for a dangerous tackle contrary to Law 10.4(e).

Following a review of all camera angles, Bosch was cited by independent Citing Commissioner Peter Larter (England) under Law 10.4(e) for a dangerous tackle in the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool C match against Namibia at Leicester City Stadium on 11 October.

Bosch admitted committing an act of foul play.

Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Chris Smith of Lewis Silkin, the Judicial Officer Jean-Noel Couraud (France) upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed an act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(e).

With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 2 weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including his conduct prior to and at the hearing, his remorse, good character and clean disciplinary record, the Judicial Officer reduced the suspension to a period of 1 week.

The suspension takes effect immediately and will run up to and include 18 October, 2015. He is free to resume playing on 19 October 2015. Bosch will therefore miss Argentina’s quarterfinal against Ireland.