Melbourne Rebels lock Adam Byrnes has been suspended for 10 weeks after being found guilty following an eye-gouging complaint in Friday night’s Super Rugby match against the NSW Waratahs.
SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully handed down the lengthy ban on the Russian international for making contact with the eye after a four-and-a-half-hour hearing on Sunday afternoon.
Byrnes had been cited after Waratahs captain Daniel Halangahu made a first-half complaint that teammate Tom Carter had allegedly been eye gouged at AAMI Park.
Medical evidence was presented to the hearing that showed Carter, who scored two tries in NSW’s 35-19 win, sustained a minor scratch to the eye but was otherwise uninjured.
Mr Tully said there was enough evidence to support Carter’s allegation contact had been made with the right eye and bridge of the nose in the course of a ruck.
The entry point of such an offence is 12 weeks but credit was given to Byrnes for his otherwise unblemished record.
He won’t be available to return for the Rebels until week 13 against the Western Force in Perth on May 20.
Russell
Guest
Has never been sent off. Has never been found guilty of any charge or citation in 20 years of playing the game.
MikeG
Roar Rookie
"The entry point of such an offence is 12 weeks but credit was given to Byrnes for his otherwise unblemished record." Ummmm...how has this point been missed? Easily the grubbiest of all Aussie players (including Carter)...I am absolutely gobsmacked he has an "unblemished record"
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
As a one time victim of eye gouging i would say that the penalty is to light, if anything. it is a dog act and should be dealt with extremely harshly.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Ha. perhaps he was playing under a new found Russian name, hence the cleanskin?
Brett McKay
Expert
I'm still struggling to comprehend Byrnes still had a clean sheet which allowed the suspension to be reduced...
Howi
Roar Rookie
Carter is such a niggling player himself. Was sickened by his cries of foul play to the ref and anyone else who would listen. Good player and couple of nice tries, but needs to grow up.
Justin
Guest
Is ther any other footage than this? http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/adam-byrnes-handed-10-week-suspension-for-eye-gouge-in-melbourne-rebels-loss-to-nsw-waratahs/story-e6frf4qu-1226288698763 If not he will or should get off on appeal. There is no evidence here whatsoever for a 10 week ban.
formeropenside
Guest
Yeah, it did not look that clear to me that there was a gouge or any intention. In any event, it was Tom Carter: like Bakkies Botha or Jimmy Cowan, he is one of those players that should in the ordinary course automatically be treated as having provoked any assault. Having said that, eye gouging is too much, and should be stamped out.
Albo
Guest
In the words of Tony Greig, Hawsh...
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Just in, the Rebels will appeal the decision. Expect to hear more!
Justin
Guest
OK, thanks RK, didnt see any of it.
Red Kev
Guest
There was one angle dredged up and replayed once during the telecast. It looked like there might have been a gouge, I guess after watching it several more times they decided it was intentional, and there may have been another angle that caught it.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
The question is, what did Carter do?
Justin
Guest
Just odd we havent seen it isnt it?
Lorry
Guest
An old schoolmate of mine... If I remember rightly, he was pretty rough on the field in those days too!!
crashy
Guest
The bloke has always been a bit of a goose. Actually him and Carter are 2 peas in a pod! Harsh I know....
jameswm
Guest
Obviously there's evidence. Serves Byrnes right. Nob.
Alonso
Guest
Easily the dirtiest player in an Australian team, if not the whole competiton. Was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
Justin
Guest
I assume there is video evidence of some sort. Its a contact sport so a scratch on the nose and eye is not exactly definitive.
Pierce
Guest
What was the evidence? I see he is a Russian now.