Michael Hooper
Australian Wallabies flank Michael Hooper could miss the Pool A decider with Wales after being cited over an incident during their crushing 33 / 13 defeat of England.
The incident concerning the 23-year-old – who along with fellow back row forward David Pocock were outstanding against England – took place in the 39th minute when he flung himself into a ruck leading with his shoulder which resulted in just a ticking off by French referee Romain Poite and a penalty being awarded to England when it was deep inside their own 22.
However, the independent citing commissioner Steve Hinds decided further action should be taken.
“Michael Hooper has been cited for an alleged act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(h) – Charging into a ruck or maul without use of the arms or grasping the player – during the 39th minute of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, 3 October,” read the statement form the organisers.
Hooper’s hearing will take place on Tuesday morning in London and be heard by independent Judicial Officer Alan Hudson.
A similar incident in Ireland’s 16 / 9 win over Italy on Sunday resulted in Poite’s compatriot Jerome Garces sin-binning Irish flank Peter O’Mahony.
rugby365
Hooper got a one week ban, so only misses Australia’s last pool game against Wales.
“A similar incident in Ireland’s 16 / 9 win over Italy on Sunday resulted in Poite’s compatriot Jerome Garces sin-binning Irish flank Peter O’Mahony” – was O’Mahony cited, if not where is the consistency?
@ Bullscot:
Ahh see it now, there is no consistency as Hooper was not carded in the match as O’Mahony and du Plessis were.
The results of the hearing
“With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer determined that the offence was low-end, which has an entry point of two weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including his early admission, good conduct during the hearing and good character and the absence of any off-field aggravating factors, the player was suspended for a period of one week.”
This is fairly light after he already basically got off with barely a slap on the wrists for punching a player right in the face earlier this year.
Hooper: “‘I was a bit shocked to find out I was being cited from the weekend.‘
However I think I had a fair trial and can move on and help the team be in the best position for this weekend and train with them.
I’ll be focusing more on day to day and focusing on what will be the team running out this weekend, which is a big match against Wales at Twickenham.
Personally you want to play in every Test match that you can.
So, straight away it’s a huge disappointment that I can’t be involved and put myself forward for selection.
And secondly to be a part of a team in a world cup and not be there is again another blow.”
Was he really “shocked” to be cited, is this because the authorities have been quite lenient in many cases on foul play this World Cup especially around the neck or choke tackles which was supposed to be something that was going to be looked at closely?
MacroPolo wrote:
Hi Macro I suppose this is part of the problem, the fact that you think he got off lightly for a previous infringement means his record may look cleaner than it should have going into this hearing, so there are ‘down the road’ consequences to these let-offs by the judiciary. I guess with only getting one week as it was seen to be at entry point means next time he appears for a citing he will still have a record than is cleaner than it should be and so may get away with another lenient sentence…
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