tha_mai says...

I like the pic with this article - QC says - 'does this count as a tackle?'

Posted 13:25 16th July 2012

backnforward says...

"It is also a matter of significance that the SANZAR Rules allow consideration be given to the importance of games to be played during the Super Rugby Finals Series and as such, this has been taken into account as a mitigating circumstance..."

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha that is almost as farcical as the NH disciplinary process. I'm guessing that, had QC broken BBs neck, that might have warranted a 4 week ban suspended until there are no important matches, either club or international, or until after QC retires??!??!?

Posted 12:02 16th July 2012

meneer says...

Hey Kurtley me old mate, got a week off fancy a few tinnies and watch the game? maybe we can HIT town after, what do you say mate?

Posted 11:26 16th July 2012

porridge_time says...

Mr Cooper's record is unblemished save for a two-week suspension in 2010

Surely they mean unpunished;-0

Posted 10:51 16th July 2012

startledwombat says...

I begin to understand why there is a small problem with rugby's officiating at the moment. They can't communicate clearly.

> principle contact

Cooper's offence was not about contact in principle. It was about an actual contact.

I suspect - and it's a wild theory, mind - that the official means "principal contact" as in "main contact" or "primary contact".

But after some of the TMO calls we've seen in the S15, who knows what is going on in the minds of these blokes.

Posted 10:50 16th July 2012

tha_mai says...

blindmice - but it was not just a yellow card - referee issued a white card at same time referring the tackle to the Citing Commissioner, who determined it met the threshold for a red card and therefore a suspension, and on to a judicial hearing.

We'll never know how close referee was to issuing a red - may have been close, though the way the Waratahs played they couldn't have won if he'd sent two or three off.

Posted 10:42 16th July 2012

tha_mai says...

Decision made by Brisbane, Queensland lawyer Paul Tully.

"Reds coach Ewen McKenzie admitted that he knows the judiciary officer in charge, Paul Tully, but added "that doesn't mean anything, they [SANZAR] are a law unto themselves."

All sounds completely impartial and fair to me.

Posted 10:29 16th July 2012

fattysock says...

Why in rugby are all the bans for time (i.e. 1 week) rather than games?

The 21st is a Saturday. If the Reds had been playing on Sunday, would that have meant he was available? Or would they have banned him for 8 days?

Just seems to make it unnecessarily complicated for short term bans.

I can understand it for serious foul play (eye gouging, for example) and longer bans - 6 months is easier to administer than 29 games or whatever.. but in this case, just make it 1 match

Posted 10:20 16th July 2012

murph says...

How convenient

Posted 10:12 16th July 2012