Wallabies captain James Horwill shocked by re-opening of trampling charge from first Lions Test

LET'S cut to the chase: the International Rugby Board is calling James Horwill a liar.

LET'S cut to the chase: the International Rugby Board is calling James Horwill a liar.

That is the ugly reality of the IRB's decision to re-try his stamping case, which not only directly questions the integrity of the Wallaby captain, but also undermines the IRB's own judicial process to the point of collapse.

The IRB are no strangers to ridiculous, politically motivated decisions but to call a double jeopardy case against Horwill is a new low. 

Horwill was cited by the Lions last week for stamping on Alun Wyn Jones' face in Brisbane, and respected Kiwi QC Nigel Hampton - the IRB-appointed, independent judicial officer for the Lions' tour - could not find that Horwill knew Wyn Jones was under him, nor committed the foul play on purpose.

Four whole days later, the IRB announced it was appealing Hampton's verdict. A second hearing will happen next week. There were no grounds given - no legal errors, no disputed logic - and it is believed the IRB board made the decision.

The IRB changed their laws last year to be able to intervene in judicial matters, and did so to challenge the severity of a stamping suspension for Kiwi Adam Thomson. His one-match ban was upped to two.

Horwill's appeal is altogether different and it stinks.

The IRB are contesting their own not guilty verdict.

Or, to put it another way, they didn't like the answer they got so they'll have another go.

The by-product is the IRB's denigration of Horwill's character.

A stamping charge hangs on intent. Horwill - who has played 130 professional games without ever being cited - says he had no idea Wyn Jones was under him when knocked off balance with a leg raised. He was unaware what he'd been cited for when told the next day. Hampton could find no evidence to confirm intent or reckless behaviour.

By appealing, the IRB are now saying: we believe Horwill is lying, and did do it on purpose. There is no middle ground here.

There is no coincidence the only two appeals have come after the UK media have heaped scorn on the IRB publicly.

The IRB have jelly-backed themselves in a corner. The judicial system is now the plaything of men in suits. James Horwill's reputation is the biggest casualty.

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