Australia lock Rob Simmons has appealed against his eight-week ban for a tip-tackle.
Simmons was cited during Australia's heavy defeat by France earlier this month for a dangerous tackle on Yannick Nyanga.
He was found guilty at a disciplinary hearing last week but given the right of appeal, which he has now used after missing out on the victory over England at Twickenham last weekend.
Simmons could have been banned for as long as 14 weeks but the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said the seriousness of his offence should have seen a ban nearer the three-weeks handed out to Wales captain Sam Warburton during last year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
The appeal will be heard by a three-man, IRB-appointed committee, with a date to be announced.
Comments
GoWalesGo says...
Fair enough i thought 8 weeks was way too much tbh
Posted 09:05 23rd November 2012
tha_mai says...
Fair enough. he has the right to appeal.
Though the sentence of 14 weeks reduced by six seemed quite clear in its content and intention.
If IRB want to eliminate foul play, yes to longer suspensions - but with more consistency please.
Recent judicial reports mention low-range, mid-range, uper-range for offences. Suppose this is a start, if they first determine what range it is in. I don't follow league - but is this how their judiciary works with 'grade one' etc for offences?
Posted 04:17 23rd November 2012
lawynd says...
amfas says... "Three Refs and plethora of technology and they can't pick out the bad guy? Guilty he was, but the punishment didn't fit the crime. Do the courts reduce your sentence if you confess? I think not!!"
The television match official is not to be used except in the adjudication of a try under current rules; therefore he couldn't have been used to identify Simmons and it was bad luck that the referee and his assistants couldn't spot it either. Not sure if you think the sentence was too long or too short, personally I feel it was about right - not only was it late and fairly malicious in my opinion, but Simmons then collapsed onto Nyanga and left him lying in the dirt.
Also, in a court of law and IRB disciplinary hearings, an early guilty plea is in fact taken into account when determining a sentence; contrition goes a long way. As it is, he's a coward who wouldn't own up to his mis-deed at the time, and deserves to have the book thrown at him in return.
Posted 15:30 22nd November 2012
APV1 says...
@ amfas - actually people are given leniency for early admissions of guilt.
I've also just re-read my post and perhaps it's a little harsh. But I do think ref's should have the powers to force a "confession". If not, the captain takes one for the team.
Posted 14:46 22nd November 2012
amfas says...
Three Refs and plethora of technology and they can't pick out the bad guy? Guilty he was, but the punishment didn't fit the crime. Do the courts reduce your sentence if you confess? I think not!! Too many grey areas in the Rugby Rule Book!!
Posted 13:39 22nd November 2012
APV1 says...
A man of very little backbone, in my opinion. He knew he did it and didn't own up at the time. His fellow players didn't do anything either. Shame on him.
Posted 13:08 22nd November 2012
melkdave says...
Bad nove by Simmions imo,he is as guilty as hell,and atm the IRB isnt feeling compasionate He got weeks took off for a good record before this ,.His just got his ban exended imo.Silly silly move,As he didnt come forward at the time to the referee ect knowing full well he was guilty and would be RED carded.
Posted 10:35 22nd November 2012
lawynd says...
The difference is that Warburton was, rightly, red-carded during the match, which had a material outcome on the result. Simmons wasn't simply because they couldn't see a jersey number so should, also rightly, be punished for longer; he got away with it at the time. That's before even considering whether or not it was more or less serious than other incidents charged under the same law.
Posted 10:15 22nd November 2012
georgesmith says...
I'm sure R. Simmons will come back stronger and better after this.
Posted 07:59 22nd November 2012