Centre of controversy: Adam Thomson
The International Rugby Board has confirmed that it will appeal what it strongly believes to be an "unduly lenient sanction" handed down to All Blacks flank Adam Thomson for stamping or trampling on the head of an opponent.
Thomson was suspended for one week after Independent Judicial Officer Jean Noel Couraud upheld the citing complaint for an alleged act of illegal and/or foul play contrary to Law 10.4(b) during the Scotland versus New Zealand match on November 11, 2012. The hearing process was run under the auspices of the Six Nations Committee.
"As custodians of Rugby worldwide, the IRB has a duty to protect its image, values and integrity together with the welfare of players at all levels in order that the sport can continue its unprecedented growth and welcome more men, women and children to the Rugby family," read on IRB statement on Wednesday.
"At the very heart of this mission is the universal application of the disciplinary process as set out in Regulation 17. This IRB Disciplinary regulation is intended to protect all players and the Game through the strict application of a sanctioning regime that acts as a strong deterrent against acts of foul play.
"This stance was reaffirmed by leading international players, coaches, referees and administrators attending the IRB Morality Conference in London in March this year who unanimously agreed that a tough and consistent stance on discipline is key to Rugby's integrity.
"After careful consideration and having reviewed the full written decision in the Thomson case well within the permitted 72 hours of receipt, the IRB strongly believes that the sanction of one week is unduly lenient for this particular act of foul play and not aligned with the sanctions handed down in similar cases.
"The IRB firmly believes it is in the best interests of the Game and its integrity to exercise its ability to appeal the Thomson decision. The right of appeal by the IRB (in defined circumstances) and for Host Unions and tournament organisers was introduced into the revised Regulation 17 effective on June 1 this year to uphold the integrity of the disciplinary process in appropriate cases."
Comments
ferdie says...
understand this review is 'at a date to be advised' - All Blacks have not named him in the 23 for the match v Wales because they have not been informed when the hearing will occur. pTomorrow? Saturday? At Gosper's place, barbecue lunch while he rips into the booze again? (as per his initial tweet prompted by rage re Simmons)
Ignoring the player/team/country aspect, can't IRB do one thing right?
Thomson is replaceable in the AB scheme of things, but if it was eg a team's star player, doesn't the team deserve some communication from IRB on date rather than, as this matter has been, media and Twitter.
Posted 10:15 22nd November 2012
markpat says...
I'm not sure where the idea comes from that the rest of the world is anti-NZ or envious of the ABs. Every single rugby player and fan that I know of thinks that NZ are by the far the best team in the world and, on the whole, probably the cleanest team in rugby.
Yes, lots of foul play against McCaw has gone unpunished. On the flip side, loads of SA players have had huge bans, some have been let off, some NZ players have been let off completely, some English players have been let off completely, some England players were given ridiculous bans in the World Cup, so on and so on - there is no conspiracy against certain teams, just rubbish disciplinary decisions.
As to the incident in question, I've not seen any youtube videos, only the replays shown at the time and it certainly looked like a punch to start with and then placing the foot directly on the head with no attempt to move the player out of the way, etc. Lenient decision, but Thompson does have a decent disciplinary record, however it would have been better to see NZ not pick him for the remaining 2 tests themselves to teach their own players not to do things that warrant stupid yellow or red cards - I would love to see England do the same when Hartley, Haskell, etc. pick up stupid yellows - they hurt the team way more than a ban does.
Posted 08:47 22nd November 2012
new_j4a says...
@Borneo_Bug...thank you for that little time capsule from PDV....made my day
Posted 07:58 22nd November 2012
rugbylover says...
I attempted to post the following anondyne comment - but you bounced it. Why?
"............................Thomson DID strike Strokosch - twice [an assault is defined as the intentional application of force.......... (no matter how small) as someone said - is there a soft head butt? Just move on. Think 'Stephen Jones' - poor, bitter, sad, creature that he is. That should be incentive enough for the next few games.
Posted 07:38 22nd November 2012
rugbylover says...
I attempted to post the following anondyne comment - but you bounced it. Why?
"............................ Look at the record books. Smile at them. You can afford to, and it'll drive them crazy."
Posted 07:31 22nd November 2012
rugbylover says...
I attempted to post the following anondyne comment - but you bounced it. Why?
"............................ Just remember WHY they envy you - you've got the best damned rugby team in the world - always have.
Posted 07:30 22nd November 2012
rugbylover says...
I attempted to post the following anondyne comment - but you bounced it. Why?
"............................ & the IRB (no 'review' of any other 'inconsistencies'? Hmm).
Posted 07:29 22nd November 2012
rugbylover says...
I attempted to post the following anondyne comment - but you bounced it. Why?
"Yes, there is undoubtedly a huge element of envy
Posted 07:28 22nd November 2012
rugbylover says...
I attempted to post the following anondyne comment - but you bounced it. Why?
Posted 07:27 22nd November 2012
Trinats2 says...
BokAvenger:
All of Botha's suspensions would add up to the death penalty !!! he has got off lightly before because he is a Saffa.
jonesrp:
OK to stand on someone provided they are wearing head gear ? He's a thug.
kennyisgay:
Your last comment and your user name, I'm guessing you are 7, maybe 8 ???
Posted 06:50 22nd November 2012
kitch says...
carpelone
for once i agree.. there is no consistency.
in light of other lenient punishments and non punishments (eg coopers knee) thompsons is quite fair...it would be totally unfair to single him out and give him more just bc the english press are putting the pressure on. The irb need to come out with a minimum of 4 weeks for any contact to the head.. foot knee or otherwise
pog
you do realise that for stamping with the foot the punishment is 2-9 weeks .. thompsons was at the lower end of the scale and given his record his punishment fits within their guidelines... and exactly at what time was the punch???... youre sounding a bit desperate now!.. bit like the english press! "For the good of the game", how far back should we go for other recent offences that have gone unpunished (rougerie!) and other lenient punishents (greyling!).. or does your opinion only apply to ABs??
Posted 06:10 22nd November 2012
Borneo_Bug says...
I miss PdV already.. he would've provided some comic relief;
"Do we want to be a part of it, or do we want to go to the nearest ballet shop, get some nice tutus and get some dancing going on?"
Posted 06:00 22nd November 2012
jonesrp says...
Let`s get retrospective about all incidents in the last 12 months ok ? I don`t know why Thompson did it, but for heavens sake the guy that copped it had headgear on...
Posted 04:00 22nd November 2012
BokAvenger says...
IRB citings are pathetic. If it had been Bakkies Botha he would have received the death penalty
Posted 03:34 22nd November 2012
colvin says...
What an incredibly poor start by Gosper.
Pandering to the anti New Zealand UK media who are collectively filled with envy at the more than 100 years of AB success against their teams and who for many years have shown they would do anything in their power to bring the ABs down.
So the IRB have already announced the penalty was wrong. Shame on them.
Is the review process independant of the IRB interference or is this just a witch hunt pandering to Stephen Jones and his ilk?
Posted 00:58 22nd November 2012
Cats_Meow says...
"Thompson first punched him, then sized up the best place to put his foot and applied it to Strokosch's head..."
The exaggeration by some of you people is hilarious... where exactly was the punch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI9OaIbaxeU
I see no punch
Posted 00:11 22nd November 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ pog-mahone - we missed your puckered butt cheeks of indignation parping for appropriate sentences (or even citing) for Greyling, Higgentwat, Gougerie, Powell and Hartley.
But guess continued assaults to the head don't count when it is the All Black captain eh?
Posted 00:02 22nd November 2012
kennyisgay says...
pog_mahone... two words paddy: "sixty NIL"
Posted 23:35 21st November 2012
passtheball says...
If the name Stephen Jones pops up anytime you can bet on fiddling with the facts, gamemanship and hypocrisy - he's world class at these skills.
The review should be of the IRB, in total.
Posted 23:32 21st November 2012
Trader2 says...
Just heard the news Thomson was not considered for the Wales game because of the pending appeal, I guess the AB camp was advised before the IRB released it publicly.
Posted 23:22 21st November 2012