The NSW Waratahs experienced mixed fortunes at two SANZAR judicial hearings in Pretoria on Saturday, with Kane Douglas suspended for two weeks and fellow lock Pat O’Connor cleared of a headbutt.
The second-rowers appeared before SANZAR judicial officer Jannie Lubbe SC following incidents in the Waratahs’ 23-17 Super Rugby loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.
Douglas was cited for a dangerous tackle and also for an act contrary to good sportsmanship.
Youngster Douglas, who started the game, executed a tackle on Bulls centre Wynand Olivier in which he was alleged to have grabbed his opponent in a headlock and flipped him over, placing his head at risk.
Earlier, Lubbe decided no further action should be taken against O’Connor after he was sent off for an alleged headbutt in the 67th minute of the game following a report from an assistant referee.
He was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that O’Connor didn’t head butt an opponent, after watching video evidence and hearing evidence from the referee, the assistant referee and the player.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey was somewhat mystified by O’Connor’s dismissal.
“I thought from my vision of it, it was just a normal cleanout,” Hickey told AAP before the hearing.
“We see 50 or 60 cleanouts in a game of rugby and I didn’t think that one wasn’t that much different to any other that occurred.
“Critical decisions are made in a game, people have got to be 100 per cent sure they’ve got it right.”
johno
Guest
Well Aussies and Kiwis always cheat, that's the only way they can stay in the game.
Shaun
Guest
The real funny thing damo...is that if a wallaby or kiwi player had been in that prone position and Butch, Bakkies or Burger had been O'Connor then you would all be shouting blue murder! You could clearly see that he went in on the bulls players exposed head (who was held in a headlock by another waratahs player)... if Pat didn't hit Flip in the head please tell me where he made contact? Go and view the video on superxv on 07:20... We all know SANZAR judiciary is a farce, so them clearing him was no surprise!
Ash
Guest
Yeah bring back neutral officials. This season has been stacked with dubious decisions from cheating officials. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Damo
Guest
Breathtaking sensitivity to rough play from the land that gave us Butch, Bakkies and Burger. Good work though to get the local ref deal booted out. Do we need any more evidence that local referees are not good for the game?