The World Rugby judicial panel have reached a verdict on Israel Folau, after the Wallabies fullback was cited for dangerous play in the third test against Ireland on Saturday.
Folau was suspended for one match at a judiciary hearing in Sydney.
In the ninth minutes of the Wallabies’ loss, Folau appeared to reach under Peter O’Mahony’s arm while the two were competing for the ball in midair, tipping the Irishman back to the point where he appeared to land on his shoulder or neck.
While Folau wasn’t yellow carded – or even penalised – for that incident, a remarkably similar incident later in the game saw him sent to the sin bin.
Michael O’Leary, the citing commissioner, deemed a sin bin for that incident sufficient, but elected to charge Folau with dangerous play for the previous one, despite neither the on-field referee nor the Television Match Official calling it.
While the referee deemed Folau to be reasonably contesting the ball, Law 9.17 reads; “A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground” – which is clearly what Folau did and, subsequently, what the hearing was always going to revolve around.
Fans were unhappy with initial charge, however, claiming it was, in fact, O’Mahony’s teammate who put him in danger by lifting him off the ground. Many were of the opinion that whatever decision was reached would have wide-reaching implications of aerial contests in Rugby going forward.
The charge put a bitter aftertaste in the mouths of Wallabies fans who, despite the 2-1 series loss, would have been pleased with the competitiveness Australia showed against the current world no. 2.
Redsfan1
Guest
Some rant about inferiority complex (bizarrely why would Australians have that of NZ?) but no addressing the inconsistency. Just look at Rob Kearney in the first test play on Folau in the air that Maria Folau has pointed out. Do your homework before jumping in as a rugvy judiciary expert.
piru
Roar Rookie
I doubt many are keeping score the same as you are mate. I comment on things that interest me What I don't do is follow other commenters around and hope to trip them up or catch them out out of some kind of inferiority complex. And on being taken seriously - when you immediately judge every subject based on where the respective characters are from - you have no credibility whatsoever
Redsfan1
Guest
The point is Piru is that don't expect to be taken seriously when you condemn Folau for a fair challenge but avoid commenting on All Blacks high tackles that cause skull fractures. Hard for an Australian to swallow a lecture from Kiwis on Folau when NZ rugby players are committing foul play acts far more regularly.
piru
Roar Rookie
Sorry JP, you're not going to drag me into an argument about a 25 year old incident by misquoting and dishonesty. I was 12 years old, I daresay you weren't even born so why do you care?
piru
Roar Rookie
Umm the question posed to me is why I think it's ok for All Blacks to fracture skulls is ok I don't think it's ok and never said it was Keep trying JP, I know I'm the only one who talks to you but you'll have to do better
Jerry
Guest
https://78.media.tumblr.com/dcd7767adc32cb46c977254006a35ff7/tumblr_pb0k6s4sEO1sg3nzko1_540.jpg Folau has his arm wrapped around O'Mahoney's chest. How is he not applying force?
Jerry
Guest
https://78.media.tumblr.com/dcd7767adc32cb46c977254006a35ff7/tumblr_pb0k6s4sEO1sg3nzko1_540.jpg Ball comes down, Folau already in contact. You were saying?
JP
Guest
Piru did you condone the eye gouging from Richard Loe on one of his countrymen and the breaking of Paul Carozzas nose with a forearm after he scored a try.? Wait for it .Piru will skirt around it somehow. He will resort to profanities or repeatedly say. " But but but Folau was worse."
JP
Guest
Piru avoids answering a question posed to him when a New Zealander commits an act of thuggery. He never ever answers the question. As above. Hilarious stuff.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
touched, played call it whatever....transgression and the Irish player landed dangerously....what else do you want to convince you...the game is finished now....go bridge building mate..>!
P2R2
Roar Rookie
okay - get over it....he got carded and now he has been punished....deserved...lets move on people...SR is about to restart...
piru
Roar Rookie
Redsfan, I must have commented my support for high tackles whilst in a drunken stupor as I have no recollection perhaps you'd care to link us to where I made such an egregious comment? No? Then perhaps you'd like to take that strawman and stick it somewhere sticky?
Redsfan1
Guest
Cool Taylorman - when can we expect the two All Blacks being suspended for fracturing a skull with a high tackle? Common sense as you say. Surely applies to your All Blacks too?
Redsfan1
Guest
Hi Piru, really keen to hear how you think All Blacks going high and fracturing a skull is ok but Folau is so bad? No conspiracy?
Redsfan1
Guest
Incorrect. Folau won the contest then made contact as Mahony was falling back on the way down. Please don't report falsely.
Sam
Guest
I watched the incident on my Fetch TV box repeatedly. Foley goes up with two hands for the ball. His momentum carries him past the Irish player. As he realises he can't reach the ball he clutches the Irishman under the armpit. He'd given up contesting ball, and had actually "played the man". Probably should have been yellow carded the first time.
Drew
Roar Rookie
I have a few questions regarding this ruling and the incident (the second Ariel contest). From what I see (from the one TV angle we are given), Folau leaves the ground before O’Mahony. He is much higher than O'Mahony in the opening tenths of a second (I think people keep forgetting how fast this is all happening with their freeze frames). O'Mahony's body, particularly left arm is thrust into the trajectory of Folau's jumping arc as he is accelerated up in the one man lift. All the while Folau's eyes are on the ball. Folau's left arm appears to have O'Mahony's body shoved in front of it resulting in Folau's becoming hooked. This leads to the Ariel contact which due to the mass, force and the leaning of O'Mahony leads to the unpleasant outcome. Folau does not appear to grab at O'Mahony and in-fact appears to twist his body likely alleviating a worst outcome for O'Mahony. Folau's hands obviously do brush/run along O'Mahony's body as he tries to disengage. This contact has an equally negative impact on Folau's landing which does not look clean and it is pretty impressive to see him right himself in slow motion. All of this appears to happen in less than a second. What I can't understand is, what was Folau conceivably meant to do? He is committed to a motion before the other player, he is contesting with what appears good intent, the player is inserted into his path in a manner that already appear precarious and due to basic physics is risky. O’Mahony does appear to knock on the ball, though Folau does move his hand in a slapping motion so it is not clear if he makes any contact with the ball (though I don’t believe he does). As such I’m not sure you can say O’Mahoney gets the ball as such. I’d be curious to see some other angles, footage of the incident. What I’m also trying to reconcile is this with is the NZ/France Grosso incident where it was deemed to be an unfortunate outcome due to fluid circumstances (ie. accidental).
PiratesRugby
Guest
Folau put his arm around the Irish player and therefore tipped him. He was lucky to only get one week.
Baz
Guest
If a player is competing to catch the ball, rather than knock it back, he should not have a spare arm to pull you down. Both arms and hands should be making a play at the ball.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
How many times does it need to be written. He grabbed POM, it’s illegal. End of. No ones fault but his. That’s the Wallaby attitude of no excuses.