Rugby World Cup: Wallaby winger Reece Hodge banned for three matches
It could have been as long as six games but a three-match ban is still likely no comfort for an Aussie team that was supremely confident of getting Reece Hodge off his dangerous tackle charge.
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Wallaby winger Reece Hodge will miss all of Australia’s remaining World Cup pool matches after being slapped with a farcical three-match ban for his high tackle that left Fiji’s Peceli Yato concussed.
In a stunning decision that is sure to draw furious criticism from former players and fans alike who thought the tackle was accidental, the disciplinary committee found Hodge guilty of “an act of foul play”.
Although the incident was reviewed during the match and Hodge was cleared of any wrongdoing, the committee, chaired by Nigel Hampton QC (New Zealand), former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former referee José Luis Rolandi (Argentina), found otherwise.
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They ruled that Hodge should have been sent off because his tackle was reckless, though not deiberate, as well as high, to the head and dangerous.
He was found guilty of a mid-level offence which carried a minimum six-match suspension but that was reduced to three games because of his “exemplary disciplinary record, good character and conduct at the hearing.”
Hodge will miss Australia’s Pool D matches against Wales, Uruguay and Georgia but can return for the quarter-finals.
He did not comment after the verdict was announced but has the option to appeal.
World Rugby recently updated their disciplinary laws to read: “Any act of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or neck shall result in at least a mid-range sanction (six weeks).”
Hodge’s lawyers argued Hodge was bracing for a collision and that his initial contact was with Yato’s arm. They said the winger had moved his head late in a bid to avoid contact with Yato’s head.
Coach Michael Cheika was irate this week that the tackle was cited in the first place as it had been cleared by matchday officials, even after being reviewed by the television match official.
He said he was led to believe a citing officer would only come over the top of matchday officials if an offence was deemed “clear and obvious”, which he said the Hodge tackle wasn’t.
The outcome should mean a starting promotion for winger Dane Haylett-Petty off the bench for Sunday’s clash with the Welsh.
Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Wallaby winger Reece Hodge banned for three matches