The IRB today confirmed to the ARU they intend to appeal the recent decision that cleared Wallaby Captain James Horwill of any wrongdoing in an alleged stomping incident which took place in the opening minutes of the first Test.
James Horwill was cited for raking the face of Lions player AJW and subsequently cleared of any charge of foul play by the judicial review late on Sunday night.
The British press, Lions players and the Lions coach all seemed perplexed with this decision with veteran Brian O’Driscoll labeling Horwill “very lucky”.
Since early 2012, the IRB has had the power to initiate independent reviews of all judiciary cases involving matches under its purview. Having received the evidence and written decision for study, the IRB advised the ARU within the allowed 72 hour window of its intention to appeal the decision.
The appeal will take place following the second Test in Melbourne and will be heard by Graeme Mew (Canada).
James Horwill is free to train and play until the appeal is heard.
jim
Guest
AWJ should be charged with a head but to the boot
jim
Guest
YOU mean kiwis support Deanes but not Gatland? you dont live in NZ
Dr Bob
Guest
How come no one has said anything about the deliberate elbow to Ashley-Coopers head by the Lions Number 1 in front of the TV camera? That was deliberate, Horwill's was not.
MH
Guest
Now compare and contrast that CV with that of Graeme Mew, the specially selected IRB judicial officer tasked with reviewing the decision. It's like appealing a High Court judgment to the Kalgoorlie magistrate's court.
Billy Bob
Guest
Yes, 30 mm, what a load of hogwash. How did this incident get to the light of day? Talk of 'stamping out stamping' as a justification for this farce is ridiculous. I'll never forget seeing a face being stamped in a club game. Deliberate, after the ruck, miles from the ball, callous. I was only a boy and the sight was sickening. Long before video. I agree that stamping has no place in the game. And I don't want my sons to be victims of reckless play either. But the precious scrutiny around this incident resulting in a bloodless injury mocks those living with real injustice. Blair and Howard answering to widows and orphans in Iraq comes to mind.
AdamS
Roar Guru
You can make your own mind up on why I included that Billy.
Notremos
Guest
Cant we do both? 30mm tags?
Jerry
Guest
On point 1 - so what if the subsequent review finds him guilty? They'll have all 9 angles - who will you trust then? Point 2 is kind of irrelevant because, while Horwill may not have known his head was there he did know that Jones was in the vicinity and recklessness is sufficient.
Pete
Guest
I disagree mania and peterlala. 1. So one camera angle 2mins of replays of the same angle and you are convinced it was deliberate when the hearing took 4 hours and 9 camera angles?? I know who i would trust more. 2. There is no way that horwill can see AJW's head as he is looking on the other side of the ruck where the ball came out. Hooper would have to be the invisible man for horwill to see AJW's head on the ground. Check out the picture on this article... 3. I dont think anyone can tell what kind of forces were exerted onto horwill to make him step like that so who are we to say that was the wrong movement. The only thing i agree is that he made contact with his head. It was accidental and lets move on. This decision by the IRU is staggering... This seems like trial by public opinion... whats next an eye for an eye .
colvin
Guest
Picked up some more news on this. Horwill himself said that at his hearing there were 9 different angles for the Judiciary Officer to examine and they prove he's innocent. Makes the TV coverage we all saw somewhat irrelevant.
30mm tags
Guest
135 Comments and increasing. Would it not be great if we could have as much energy put into assisting those squillions of poor bastards who cant even get a trial in some of our old colonies. First world problem big time.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Hope you're representing him Archer.
Kevin Rudolph
Guest
Anyone who thinks this wasn't on purpose is insane. It is actually fairly frightening that most of you are this blind...
ohtani's jacket
Guest
If Deans had been the second gunman, he would've made a hash of it.
Rob G
Guest
No deans did not do that. Quade brought it upon himself. Deans stuck by quade threw it all. And if you'll remember even had multiple public spats with graham Henry regarding QC. Blaming everything on deans is just pathetic. Apparently deans was the second gunman behind the grassy noll.
Jerry
Guest
Boo-urns.
Dublin Dave
Guest
"The citing comissioner has ruled on it end of story." The citing commissioner doesn't rule on anything. He merely selects what cases another body has to consider. THEY make the rulings. This thing is going through what lawyers would call due process. A disciplinary hearing gave Horwill the benefit of the doubt; now the IRB can ask another independent body to verify that. As biltongbek said it's not a cut and dried case. It could go either way. Personally i think Horwill can thank Messrs Mealamu and Umaga for this tortuous process. The perfunctory manner with which that "incident" was dealt with in 2005 is the main reason, I'll bet, why the IRB want to be seen dealing thoroughly with allegations of violent conduct. Although I'd still give him the benefit of the doubt.
AndyS
Guest
Got to feel for Hampton a bit. His employers have basically just publically branded him incompetent at best, corrupt at worse. Imagine he's looking for a new hobby...
chuck
Guest
Its not the appeal the I.R.B that's farcical ,its absolutely justified to step in, Nigel Hampton the Q.C. a Kiwi who was the commissioner deliberating on this cowardly act , said Horwill mysteriously nudged by some force propelled his boot in the direction Alun Wyn Jones head ,clearly showing Horwill lifting one leg straight up in the air then back down on Wyn Jones head no matter what Horwill intention were lifting your leg up with a bend at the knee and banging it down requires further explanation, Nigel Hampton sir is the joke here, Mania disagree with you that the I.R.B. shouldn't interfere with the commissioner finding they are correct in acting after Hampton handing his report too them ,Do I think Horwill has case too answer for his brain explosion yes I do.
jutsie
Guest
woodward had an ex labor party spin doctor (alistair campbell) in his tour support group who orchestrated a media withchunt against them