Wallabies skipper James Horwill still does not know whether he will play in Saturday night’s series decider against the British and Irish Lions, with the decision to be announced at 1pm AEST.
Canadian arbitrator Graeme Mew is yet to hand down his decision on Horwill’s rucking incident from the first Test after conducting a three-and-a-half hour appeals hearing last night.
The Wallabies second-rower had been cleared of the charge nine days ago but was made to face the music again after the International Rugby Board appealed his not guilty verdict.
Mew has spent more than 12 hours on the complex decision, following the IRB’s appeal to its own judicial officer’s findings.
Jonnie Canuck
Guest
Don't you know we Canucks will always stand up for the Aussies ???
Worlds Biggest
Guest
" Mew had the integrity to stand up to the IRB and focus solely on the law " Fair play to the guy, he stood up to them and now will likely be punted.
colvin
Guest
I take it back. Mew had the integrity to stand up to the IRB and focus solely on the law.
Chui
Guest
That was Barnum and Bailey
Jerry
Guest
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's mostly cause he stood on someone's head.
Jerry
Guest
The Lions doctor testified that he put the stitches in KPM. He said he'd applied vaseline and it wasn't bleeding but still thought the stitches were the best option for healing it.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Gee. it leaves the old IRB looking a bit stupid though, doesn't it? Given that TWO highly decorated judicial officers have now cleared Horwill... I guess we are free to speculate on exactly WHY the IRB was so keen to run the Australian captain out of the 3rd Test... Anyone?
Red Kev
Guest
Booya! You beat me to it. Awesome news.
Mat
Guest
Classic - I'm going to have to borrow that one :)
Mat
Guest
Yeah but no doubt Bakkies deserved a lengthy ban. He was a thug of the highest order.
DMac
Guest
You're clearly wrong. There is no rain predicted for Sydney this week. Perhaps the oh-so-neutral IRB can mandate that the sprinklers need to be left on all week?
DMac
Guest
Which is saying something. Is it possible to appeal this to the court of arbitration for sport? When the inevitable happens.
Will Sinclair
Guest
It's all academic now - he's been cleared!
DJW
Guest
In court of law to appeal you need new evidence or something that wasn't in the original case. (I'm no lawyer but I think it's something like that) Is the same required in rugby judiciary appeals process? If so I can't see what new evidence they have if 9 camera angles exhausted. 10th camera angle? Smart phone from crowd? Seems the IRB haven't followed there own process either sending only one person for the review. Dodgy all round.
Mudfish
Guest
This second Horwill hearing is the biggest stitch up since Georgio Armani tailored a suit for John Candy.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
He's also a British Citizen, staggering really.
Doug
Guest
The actions of the IRB have not been explained and should be the subject of an investigative piece. 1. How was the decision made to re-hear the case? 2. By which Board members, where? 3. What was the vote for review? (given Lions Nations have 6 votes and Australia 2) 4. Did all nations vote, or able to? 5. How many Board members are here watching the tour? 6. Would it not be appropriate for all competing countries to recuse themselves from any decision to review? 7. Who conducted the so called re-examination which effectively determined a second (then prejudiced hearing)? 8. Why an English born Canadian and not a neutral for transparency reasons? 9. Why, when a promise of details of review on the decision to hold one were not given? I raise these issues before the yet again delayed decision. But for one union man there is something mighty fishy here. At least journalists need to find out the details and restore any confidence in the process.
colvin
Guest
How can Mew been seen to be independent? He's been appointed by the IRB. If he rules against the IRB that's the end for him of a lucrative job. No more cases. It's a farce.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
no due process or new evidence produced and he deliberates for what 10 hours and still no decision. This is an utter disgrace and blight on the game. Well done IRB, it is now pertinently clear which hemisphere butters your bread.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
That should be an invisible 'wound' needs stitches.