Rugby World Cup: Michael Cheika frustrated with World Rugby over Reece Hodge suspension
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika denies Reece Hodge was unaware about the framework on high tackles while a decision hasn’t yet been made if the winger will appeal.
World Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from World Cup. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Exasperated Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says he feels like he’s just wasting his breath trying to convince World Rugby that the three week suspension handed down to Reece Hodge was unfair while refuting the official report that the banned winger didn’t understand the rules on high tackles.
Cheika maintains that Hodge should not have been rubbed out for his accidental high tackle on Fiji’s Peceli Yato and there’s no shortage of people who agree with him but the outspoken Australian coach said none of the blazers were listening.
“As disappointed as Reece is, I don’t really care,” Cheika said.
Stream the Rugby World Cup 2019 on KAYO SPORTS. Every match Live & On-Demand on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Get your 14 day free trial >
“Whatever World Rugby are doing…I can tell you right now, if there is one bloke World Rugby is not listening to, it’s me, no matter what language I spoke to them in.”
Cheika said no decision had been made about whether Hodge would appeal the ban, with the deadline about to expire at Saturday lunchtime, but the coach dispelled reports the Wallaby winger was unaware about the rules after he was quoted in the official hearing report as not understanding the framework for high tackles.
“We don’t need the framework to teach us where to tackle,” Cheika said.
“They are all taught to tackle middle so I’m not sure where that chat is coming from or why but I just want to get it out there that we don’t need the framework to tell us where to tackle.”
Cheika explained that if Hodge gave the impression he didn’t understand the rules it was just because he was nervous but he had the unwavering support of all his teammates and the saga had hardened their resolve to deal with adversity ahead of Sunday’s massive World Cup clash with Wales.
“There is a part of it that I have spoken to the boys about it. There is a bit of us versus everyone else,” Cheika said.
“So we are not going to let it derail us. We’ll just suck it up and get focused on what’s important, and that is the match on Sunday.
“We wanted no obstacles to derail us and we are not going to let them get to us. We’ll just concentrate on our footy and do the best we can on Sunday for Australia.
“No-one in the team believes that what Reece did met the red card threshold.”
Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Michael Cheika frustrated with World Rugby over Reece Hodge suspension