Exclusive: The images used for Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ controversial ban as panel deems Springbok ‘intentionally’ groped Josh Murphy
Bulls forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Springboks and Bulls forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been banned without ‘irrefutable visual confirmation’, Planet Rugby can confirm, having obtained the official full judgment issued by the disciplinary panel.
The independent panel handed down the punishment on the basis of testimonies by Josh Murphy and the citing commissioner, as no additional camera angles were used.
Referee Mike Adamson and his officiating team were unable to sanction Wessels, who allegedly groped the Connacht flanker, during the United Rugby Championship clash in Galway last week, due to the lack of video verification.
Murphy made the accusation after he lashed out at Wessels, striking the front-rower twice on the head in retaliation to feeling as though his genitals were grabbed and twisted.
Nine-week ban
Adamson was unable to substantiate the claim and instead punished the Connacht forward, issuing him with a 20-minute red card.
After the match, Murphy spoke with the citing commissioner, with Planet Rugby exclusively obtaining a recording of the meeting.
“I felt the player grab my testicles and that’s when I reacted immediately,” he said in review of the incident.
“That’s what happened, that’s why I reacted because of how he grabbed and squeezed my testicles – I wouldn’t have reacted otherwise.”
In the full judgment, seen by this publication, the citing commissioner admits that the live television feed did not produce conclusive proof of wrongdoing by Wessels but states that his ‘direct line of sight’ from approximately 20 metres away from when the incident occurred, corroborated the sequence of events described by Murphy.
“Murphy entered the ruck legally, eventually positioning his left arm over the back of Bulls No.2, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Both players were grounded, yet still actively engaged in the ruck,” the Citing Commissioner’s report read.
“At this point, Murphy was positioned to the left of Wessels, with their bodies in close proximity – Murphy’s head near Wessels’ hips and vice versa. It is at this juncture that the alleged act of foul play occurred.
“The live television feed, while not conclusive in capturing direct contact, clearly shows Wessels’ right elbow grounded and his head turning backwards toward Murphy. Simultaneously, Wessels’ left arm, partially obscured, can be seen moving in an unnatural, arc toward Murphy’s groin area.
“The movement is not consistent with any legitimate rucking, grasp or binding action.
“Immediately following the contact, Murphy reacts with visible and audible distress. He attempts to push/strike Wessels away and can be heard, several times, on the referee’s microphone exclaiming, ‘He grabbed me right here!’ gesturing unmistakably to his groin. His tone is one of shock, distress, and disbelief, yet he remains articulate and composed in his protest.”
Exclusive: Full details emerge of Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ ban and Josh Murphy’s role in it
Images used in the case
He added: “I was present at the match, positioned approximately 20 metres from the incident. My direct line of sight corroborated the sequence of events as described by Murphy and partially captured on video.
“The reaction from Murphy was immediate and unmistakably one of frustration. While the video footage does not provide irrefutable visual confirmation of the exact point of contact, the totality of evidence, Murphy’s immediate reaction, his consistent and credible testimony, the unnatural movement of Wessels’ arm, and the corroborating live observation, leads to a compelling conclusion.
“The movement of Wessels’ left arm, away from his body and toward Murphy’s groin, is not only unnatural but also unnecessary in the context of ruck engagement. His backward glance further suggests awareness.
“On the balance of probabilities, and in light of the evidence presented, it is my firm belief that Vodacom Bulls No.2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels committed a serious act of foul play by grabbing and, as alleged, twisting the testicles.”
Included in the judgment were three images that were used to prove that the act had taken place.
“Following the image above, the video shows C6 moving his hips upwards and away from where the Player’s arm is located. This is shown in the image below,” the judgment reads.
“Immediately following the image above, the video shows, C6, with his head turned to directly face and look at the Player, swinging his arm and striking the Player with the inside of his forearm as a reaction to what has occurred.”
In the ‘decision’ section of the judgment, the committee deems Murphy’s evidence of the events to be ‘credible’ but added that they also “considered that C6 had his own interests to serve in giving an exculpatory explanation for him striking the Player as he was facing a disciplinary hearing for his Red Card also, but notwithstanding this the Committee found his evidence to be credible.”
It is repeatedly noted that clear video evidence of the alleged grope was not available, but “The Committee’s view is that the video footage supports the evidence put forward by the Citing Commissioner and C6, rather than the Player [Wessels].”
Additionally, the committee determined that “on the balance of probabilities that the Player’s actions were intentional.”
Wessels to appeal the ban
The Bulls have confirmed that they will appeal the committee’s decision to ban Wessels for nine weeks, with the forward set to miss all five of the Springboks‘ November internationals as well as the start of his club’s Investec Champions Cup campaign.
However, if they are to successfully overturn the ban, they will need to prove to the committee’s satisfaction that he did not commit the act of foul play.
“The burden is on that player (if they so wish) to demonstrate to the satisfaction of a committee that the Citing Commissioner’s complaint was wrong because the player did not commit the act(s) of Foul Play specified in the complaint and/or those act(s) did not warrant a red card (Rule 7.6.11.1),” the introduction of the judgement confirmed.
At the hearing, the committee decided that Wessels was successful in doing so: “The Committee is satisfied that the Player has not discharged the burden on him pursuant to rule 7.6.11.1 of the Rules.”
Wessels has already missed one game for the Bulls, their defeat to Glasgow Warriors in round five of the URC, but Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus will be hoping that will be the only fixture and that he successfully appeals the decision.
