Comments on: Ford, Gray & O’Brien decisions make a mockery of the World Cup

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:44:02 +0000

Player safety IS the most important thing… thinking Matt Hampson here, but also empathise with yr comments, including those of yr last para.

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:33:35 +0000

Harsh indeed. Inconsistent indeed. And let’s not also forget that Burgess only got a warning for his ‘clotheslining’ of Hooper.

I understand that Scotland were appealing the decision of 3 weeks? Even so, neither player would likely have appeared on Saturday, potentially reduced sentences notwithstanding.

Could/would not Scotland have been better off issuing a legal challenge? Or as a last resort, refusing to play & thus conceding the match, especially as Scotland are arguably almost certain to lose now anyway?

Such a measure might possibly temporarily halt the tournament, but it seems only a radical thunderbolt will stop the bias & inconsistency? And think of the fallout that WR (& Scotland of course) would come under. The press would have a field day.

Ok, so then I woke, but…. sometimes something seismic shakes some senses?

By: TeamCam

TeamCam — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:10:53 +0000

It’s worth noting that no damage has been reported as being done by the ‘tip tackle’. Unlike Wood or Carter’s kicks to the head, for example.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:38:52 +0000

Ally, I completely agree – that’s exactly what I was trying to get across in the article. It’s not necessarily the 3 week bans I have an issue with (although quite why Ford was cited, I’ve no idea – it was Gray’s tipping that did the damage, not him), but rather the inconsistency across the board when you look at other similar – if not worse – incidents from earlier in the tournament.

That, and the clear preferential treatment given to the bigger nations.

By: Ally

Ally — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 01:48:42 +0000

I am a huge Scotland rugby fan and can understand all Scottish fans frustration with the bans imposed and would have wanted our best team to be playing against the Aussie’s.
However,i have been actively involved in fundraising for Stirling university rugby player Connor Hughes (see Connor’s journey,www.lindeanlore.co.uk) who is now quadriplegic.
Rugby is a tough,dangerous sport and World Rugby has a duty to reduce the possibility of serious injury through tip-tackles,shoulder charges,punches etc.
My issue is with the equitable application of the bans imposed across all matches and incidents missed.This needs to be addressed to be seen to be fair to all countries,maintain the integrity of the disiplinary process and protect all players at whatever level from serious injury.

By: James Maclean (@JamesHAMaclean)

James Maclean (@JamesHAMaclean) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:00:02 +0000

It’s a load of bull. https://vine.co/v/eEJ1aJl1Hpa

By: brighty

brighty — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:14:29 +0000

So basically – if you’re going to get caught doing something make sure it’s not a rugby move gone wrong, make sure it’s just a proper pub car park type move.

Getting your tackles/running wrong = multiple week bans.
Smacking someone cos he spilt your pint = 1 week ban or even no ban if you’re twuly, ywuly sowwy….

By: Staggy

Staggy — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:18:03 +0000

Regarding inconsistency between tier 1 and 2 nations, if Scotland have been dealt with harshly does that make them a tier 2 side………..?

Seriously though can’t agree more with the fight for consistency. We demand it from the players and the refs – the bureaucracy needs to catch up.

By: Leon

Leon — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:14:08 +0000

The duration of the bans are farcial but funnily enough Ireland were serverly punished for O’Briens indiscretion on the pitch. Pape was really rield up after that and later in the game put in a monster hit on sexton from which he gets up gingerly rubbing his ribs, 2 minutes later Picamoles repeats the blow leading to him being extracted injured, next up Pape clears out a ruck leading to O’Connell getting injured

Object lesson don’t piss Pape off in the first minute of the game

By: Ric

Ric — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:01:54 +0000

Tried to comment the other day but my net connection failed me. I couldn’t disagree more about the Gray/Ford incident. When u first saw it on your twitter feed I felt it was deliberate and they were very lucky boys at the time. I’m not sure how it looks accidental??

Regardless, the inconsistency in punishments makes the disciplinary board look ridiculous and only further perpetuates the tier 2 nations belief that there’s 1 set of rules for them and 1 for the tier 1 teams.

By: laribold

laribold — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:26:27 +0000

It’s not so much the bafflingly short ban for O’Brien, but the fact that:
– Bosch only got 1 week for a spear tackle that tipped his man after the pass was away and put him down head first from waist height.
– JP Pieterson’s similar spear tackle (vs Scotland) was deemed nothing more than a penalty by Owens because ‘there was no malice in it’. There was no malice in Gray and Ford’s clear out either.
– There are numerous instances of similar clear outs (some even directly in front of the referee) that go totally unpunished (e.g. http://www.glasgowwarriors.com/phpbb/download/file.php?id=233 Or https://vine.co/v/eE5hY9ni1AJ)

It’s the same as refereeing in a game, nothing is more damaging or frustrating than inconsistency.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:24:13 +0000

I can only think that Mike has hit the nail on the head here. What other reason can there be other than to protect revenue?

After all they’ve already had the disaster of the host nation failing at the pool stage, the last thing they need is stars of the game like Hooper, Pocock or O’Brien being banned for all or much of the remainder of the tournament.