England’s Jermaine McGillvary was meant to be playing the role of defendant at the Rugby League World Cup judiciary after claims he’d bitten Robbie Farah.
But it took just moments for him to turn the tables on Farah on Wednesday night.
McGillvary was cleared of contrary conduct charges that threatened to end his tournament, but not before he took the South Sydney and Lebanon veteran down in an impassioned plea of innocence.
Responding to Farah’s on-field claims he’d been bitten by the Huddersfield winger in Saturday night’s 29-10 win over Lebanon, the Englishman hit out at his rival who he accused of the worst “grapple tackle” he’d ever been on the end of.
“I’ve played over 200 games. I’ve been high tackled but never grapple-tackled like this,” McGillvary told the judiciary panel of Barri-Jon Mather, Mal Cochrane and chairman Geoff Bellew.
“I’ve never felt so uncomfortable.
“It (Farah’s forearm) was pushing on my face very hard. I felt like I was about to choke. As I went to floor, it got worse.”
McGillvary then successfully claimed Lebanon hooker Michael Lichaa, who was also in the tackle, had inadvertently pushed his head and mouth down onto Farah’s arm as he was struggling for air.
“I felt like I was choking. I just wanted to get my mouth out so I could breathe … I wanted to gasp for air through my mouth.
“Not once did I shut my mouth. Not once when he put his arm into my mouth did I close my mouth.”
McGillvary hit out over the charge, and agued that the claims had already put a smear on his name back in England..
“I’m outraged about what it’s done to my reputation,” McGillvary said.
“It’s outrageous. I’ve been a pro for 10 years and I’ve got an outstanding disciplinary record. I’ve never been charged with anything like this.”
Farah wasn’t present on Wednesday night as he attended a civic function organised by the World Cup with the Lebanon team.
But that was unbeknownst to tournament prosecutor Peter McGrath or judiciary chairman Bellew, the latter of whom questioned why Farah hadn’t substantiated the on-field claims by at least providing a statement.
Meanwhile McGillvary’s lawyer, Nick Ghabar jumped on the issue, and suggested the former Wests Tigers captain may have had second thoughts over whether he was actually bitten, or the position he put the winger in during the tackle.
However that’s unlikely to be the case, given Farah remained adamant in the post-match press conference he’d definitely been bitten by the 29-year-old.
Nat
Roar Guru
I answered the question in the same manner as you asked them. A derogatory statement framed as a question doesn't deserve a researched answer. I focus on the positive and you won't accept that. You asked the question, look a bit further than the WC site and you may find what you are looking for and if can find who is playing the WC finals and who the ref is I'm all ears.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Probably because they are tired of having to defend themselves against trolling? If I had some clout on the board I'd probably be inclined to encourage them to savage the trolls. It's too easy and it gets you some publicity.
Maestro
Guest
Yeah so why don't why publish the crowd figures and why no neutral refs?? At least SA is honest and doesn't avoid the question...
Peter Phelps
Guest
In a case like this where there is a strong element of doubt (though I tend to agree with the no bite theory), it would be normal to look at the character of the accused. If he had had a record as a hot head such as Adam Blair or a Todd Carney then it would be fair to suspect that it was a bite. However, McGilvery has a very clean record in Superleague and that has to tip the balance of any doubt in his favour.
Big Daddy
Guest
It's a hard choice . But I would go for Robbie hater. Edward gets a gold medal for stupidity. Get over it.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
A 'pommy apologist'? Seriously, is that where you are coming from? There were pressure marks. And I've already explained to you their two possible sources. And no, he wasn't "always going to get off". Biting is a pretty serious offence. But he didn't bite. Such is life.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
There were bite marks. Do you need the video frame for that as well or are you pommy apologists and Farrah haters as bad as the the pommy commentators with their second shooter theory (ie "he had a mouth guard in so he couldn't bite"). He was always going to get off. He could have taken half an ear lobe and he would have got off. That doesn't mean he didn't bite.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yep to all your points.
Peter
Guest
Overly sensationalist headline (something that is getting worse on The Roar, sensationalised article ("turned the tables bs bs..) and a bunch of Farah-haters galloping to the fray. What this mob think is actually irrelevant to anything, as is any story where posters simply repeat pre-determined points of view. Factual: Farah lodged a complaint. The complaint was not sustained. End of story.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
People see what they want to see. When I first saw that footage, I too imagined that McGillvary was in trouble. Then I saw more footage and noticed that his jaw doesn't actually clamp. The head moves around, yes, but that is not the same as biting. After I saw it, it kind of became apparent what had happened - Farah thought he was being bitten and in the heat of the moment why wouldn't he? But it turned out that he wasn't.
Big Daddy
Guest
He must be Robbies lawyer.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's a bit silly not to publish the crowd figures, especially since they are nothing to be ashamed of. Like most sports, the more anticipated matches and the higher quality matches drew greater attendances. The lower-tiered matches drew lower ones. Hardly earth shattering news that.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Oh for heaven's sake guv, that footage only shows McGillvary's head moving downwards. It doesn't show him biting at all. There is another footage from ground level that shows the entire thing. If you want to believe he bit then stick with that footage. Yeesh.
Nat
Roar Guru
I've seen quite a few sold out stadiums where he atmosphere was awesome. Enthralling, passionate games they were. Others not sold out but would roughly equate to approx 10% of the population of the town. Pretty good effort considering no local teams played. But even the Olympics doesn't sell out every event. Hard to answer your question about the refs considering we don't know the make up of the finals - not the games or the officials.
Big Daddy
Guest
Greg, Unfortunately Robbie Sarah has done his reputation in - not that he had one. At least Tommy bit an Aussie, but Tommy didn't like any one on the field. Probably off the field as well - just ask steve mortimer.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
3.20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P6yxHYDwos
Maestro
Guest
OK - I was invited - any sign of crowd numbers for the tournament? Not on official website. BTW any chance of neutral refs for the finals?? Name me another international tournament where officials are available that doesn't have this...
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
"....the judiciary panel, made up 3 well respected ex-players Tim Sheens, Mick Potter and Jason Taylor found in favour of the defendant."
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Possibly. I would say that it was a reasonable accusation to have made given the circumstances.
Nat
Roar Guru
There you go, a conversation about something other than heritage by Maestro. Welcome. Looking forward to some input on the weekend's games.