Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper is in doubt for Australia’s Rugby Championship decider against the All Blacks in Sydney after being cited for alleged foul play in Australia’s 34-9 win against Argentina on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
Hooper was cited by SANZAR on Sunday night, 12 hours after the Wallabies’ bonus-point victory over the Pumas in Mendoza.
The former skipper is alleged to have contravened a law involving punching or striking, when he made contact with Argentina fly half Nicolas Sanchez in the 59th minute of the Test.
Hooper came off the bench in the Wallabies win but faces a nervous wait to see what punishment, if any, SANZAR deems necessary for the alleged strike.
“Hooper is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (a) Punching or striking, when he made contact with Argentina fly half, Nicolas Sanchez in an incident that occurred in the 59th minute of the match between Argentina and Australia at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza on 25 July 2015.
“The case is to be considered in the first instance by SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Chris Morris.
“All SANZAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to a Duty Judicial Officer hearing to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
“For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the DJO.”
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Hooper wouldn't last half a round against Quade....
Dannyray
Guest
What about the Dean Mumm fend on Coetzee? And he landed on his head..... This is getting ridiculous
Dannyray
Guest
It was an open handed slap... that is all it took to send him flying dramatically, arms and legs flailing about.... When he fell, he could have seriously injured himself - I'm pretty sure he needed to fix his hair after this. These arguments for or against are a total waste of time - but I can't help myself.
Dannyray
Guest
He has a long rap sheet Birdy.....
Dannyray
Guest
Tinfoil - I'm saying I don't think Hooper doing what he did warrants a suspension - not even close. Particularly when comparing several other incidents in recent rugby history. I would liken it to more of a push or fend than a punch. Obviously everyone has their opinion and they are entitled to it,I'm just stating mine. Additionally - despite obviously being a Wallabies supporter, I'd expect that if one of the WBs was doing the holding back & was subsequently shoved like this, I'd like to think I'd put it down to cynical play and getting what they deserve. It is rugby after all.
Birdy
Guest
The English RFU banned Hartley for four weeks knowing it would put him out of the RWC.
Not Bothered
Guest
I think you are trying a bit hard. Was a hard shove to the guys head. It was not a punch. It was not meant to hurt the player. It was a frustrated reaction to niggle. Not sure if he will be suspended. Will be low level if he is.
Billy Bob
Guest
Soapit, it is my understanding that inertia refers to a tendency to continue in a current state. So inertia can be both a resistance to movement, if stationary. But also a tendency to keep moving, if already moving. But physics professors on the Roar may be able to contradict me.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He plays for the Manly club who have a match this weekend - I believe it is already a given that one week of any suspension will be served there. If there is a burden of proof then they can name him in the side prior to the judiciary meeting.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Gents - ease up on Nobrain - he isn't claiming to be a neutral, he is asking us to try to view the incident as a neutral. He is Argentinean and it should be no surprise that he has a different view from most of the Aussie fans on the website. We’ll all find out tomorrow, got to say that the speed of Hooper’s swing and the fact that contact occurred at or near the head are likely to count against him, whether he had an open hand or not. It did look to me that Sanchez exaggerated the effect but Hooper gives a fair indication of the force of his blow with him losing his footing as well. Wouldn’t be a terrible result to see McMahon get Hooper’s bench spot in the next game so that we can see how another of our young guns goes. Hopefully if there is a suspension it isn’t too long a one.
PeterK
Roar Guru
looks like should and looks like an open hand making contact
PeterK
Roar Guru
what rubbish I never defended the tahs foul play.
soapit
Guest
thats not really what inertia is bennalong. i think you mean momentum. if so that some interesting physics going on there that someone pulling you back can cause the guy to do a full 360
Tinfoil hat
Guest
The nature and velocity of the arm movement will determine whether it was a shove or not.
Tinfoil hat
Guest
Which means you think hopper should be suspended as well?
Tinfoil hat
Guest
It was not an open handed shove.
Tinfoil hat
Guest
Only because he is a wallaby.
Tinfoil hat
Guest
The video is conclusive. He deliberately strikes him in the head in retaliation for the guy holding on to his jersey. As nobrain says, if the situation was reversed, there would be calls for a suspension by oz fans. Using semantics to try to imply no foul play took place is as convincing as your defences of the late season run of tahs foul play. You were wrong then and you are wrong now.
PeterK
Roar Guru
whatever
Tinfoil hat
Guest
Come on pk. 'A hard shove' is not what happened. He deliberately swung a stiff arm, with a lot of force, contacting the guy in the head/neck area with his hand.