SANZAR dismisses Byrnes' fine

Updated June 21, 2012 18:13:37

Outspoken Melbourne Rebels lock Adam Byrnes has had his $5,000 fine wiped for his verbal lashing of Waratahs centre Tom Carter.

Super Rugby's governing body SANZAR's appeals committee quashed the fine which came after he attacked Carter in newspaper comments published in March.

The comments followed a Byrnes' successful appeal against a 10-match ban for dangerous play against Carter who had alleged he was eye-gouged during the round two match at AAMI Park.

Byrnes hasn't played for the Rebels since that game after suffering an elbow injury and then being unable to force his way back into the squad.

Earlier this month he was released by Melbourne to return to Russia, who he played with at last year's World Cup to be part of their squad for the IRB Cup that features emerging countries.

SANZAR said on Wednesday it had revised the sanction with Byrnes still receiving a formal caution.

He still has to pay costs of $2,500.

The Appeals Committee said the decision to wipe the fine was due to the "very unusual facts of this case".

"It was the first of its kind, and should therefore not be seen as a precedent," SANZAR said in a statement.

"Players wanting to complain about other players should do so through SANZAR channels rather than through the media."

Meanwhile Wallabies star James O'Connor has recovered from liver damage but is battling a hamstring injury ahead of the Rebels' clash with Super Rugby champion Queensland.

O'Connor was given the green light from his specialist to resume contact training with scans confirming his lacerated liver, suffered last month playing against New South Wales, had healed well.

But the Test star's presence for the Rebels' final home game this season, on June 29 at AAMI Park, depends on whether he can overcome a hamstring injury he sustained training with the Wallabies.

O'Connor ran at Melbourne training on Wednesday but did not participate in the intra-club game the Rebels held at Princess Park during the three-week Super Rugby hiatus.

"He's still a good chance for us for the Reds which is pleasing," said Rebels coach Damien Hill.

"He got clearance from the scans but the hamstring's still not 100 per cent.

"James is one of those naturally fit players so his fitness shouldn't be a problem."

Utility back Mark Gerrard also has a hamstring injury and sat out the match.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, melbourne-3000

First posted June 20, 2012 21:05:56

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Byrnes fined over Carter comments

Updated May 02, 2012 11:17:00

Melbourne Rebels lock Adam Byrnes has been fined $7,500 by SANZAR for his "unwarranted and serious verbal attack" on New South Wales centre Tom Carter.

Byrnes, who has not played since round two after injuring his elbow, was found by judicial officer Nigel Hampton to have committed an "act of misconduct" for his comments published in Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper in March.

Hampton found that the interview contained "an unwarranted and serious verbal attack by Mr Byrnes on the integrity and good character of another player (Waratahs player Tom Carter), an attack such as well might impair public confidence in that other player's character and integrity".

Byrnes' comments came after Carter alleged he was eye-gouged by the Russia international during the match.

Byrnes was initially found guilty but successfully appealed the 10-week ban, with the SANZAR judiciary admitting there was no conclusive evidence.

He said Carter's actions were a "disgrace".

"I give him credit as a player, but to carry on in terms of bringing another player down and potentially ruining their livelihood, it is a very poor quality to have as a human being," Byrnes said in the interview of Carter.

"To be falsely accused with such a slanderous tag as Tom has said is extremely poor form."

Hampton said he gave credit to Byrnes' long unblemished career, but found there was no remorse shown or apology issued.

He was ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 and $2,500 in costs.

Byrnes has resumed full training and is hopeful of making his return to playing with the Rebels next week.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted May 02, 2012 11:17:00

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Rebels have Byrnes ban overturned

Updated March 22, 2012 20:07:28

Melbourne Rebels lock Adam Byrnes' 10-week suspension from Super Rugby has been overturned by a SANZAR appeals committee.

Byrnes was banned by a judiciary officer who found him guilty of dangerous play in making contact with New South Wales Waratahs centre Tom Carter's eye area during the teams' round two clash on March 2.

"I have been playing Rugby Union for 20 years and throughout this time, I have never been suspended or received a red card. I certainly play the game with a competitive spirit, but I know that I have always done so within the rules," Byrnes said.

"The allegation levelled against me was of an extremely serious nature and is something that has no place in Rugby Union. To be cleared of this charge is a tremendous relief for myself and my family."

The three-man appeals committee chaired by Nicholas Davidson has found there was insufficient proof to sustain the charge.

"This was a serious allegation and must be clearly established on the balance of probabilities," SANZAR said in a statement.

The appeals committee said its examination of the evidence included extensive "but inconclusive" video footage from the match.

"Applying the standard of proof required under the rules, the appeal committee concluded that it could not be said that a breach of the laws occurred to the requisite standard as an act of recklessness which involved contact with the eye area.

"In the circumstances, the appeal was allowed and the sanction was set aside."

The initial judiciary hearing rejected the notion that Byrnes' action was eye-gouging or constituted an intentional attack.

But he was deemed to have acted dangerously in applying a headlock to Carter, which involved recklessness in making contact with the eye area.

The appeals committee first dismissed a submission by the Rebels that the judicial officer was wrong to amend detail of the citing which originally alleged an attack to the eyes as the players were getting up after clearing out.

Tully considered video footage before the players fell to ground, not as they were getting up, and that founded his decision to impose the ban.

The committee said there was no unfairness in the process adopted.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 22, 2012 16:19:10

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SANZAR reserves judgment on Byrnes' ban

Updated March 14, 2012 11:57:09

Melbourne Rebels face an anxious wait for the outcome of Adam Byrnes' appeal against his 10-week Super Rugby ban, with the SANZAR appeals committee reserving its decision.

The Rebels put forward their case, including both oral and video evidence, in a five-hour video conference hearing on Tuesday night.

Byrnes was rubbed out for 10 weeks after the initial judiciary hearing 10 days ago found him guilty of making contact with an opponent's eye during the Rebels' 35-19 loss to New South Wales in round two.

The appeals committee chaired by Nicholas Davidson QC reserved its decision and indicated it may not be released for several days.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted March 14, 2012 10:06:52

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Rebels prepare to appeal Byrnes' ban

Updated March 08, 2012 16:55:35

Promising young Melbourne Rebels flanker Luke Jones could find himself switched to the second row to match the might of Wallabies duo James Horwill and Rob Simmons in their Super Rugby match with Queensland on Saturday night.

Jones is a front runner to replace Adam Byrnes, who was rubbed out for 10 weeks by SANZAR for eye-gouging New South Wales centre Tom Carter in the Waratahs' 35-19 round two win at AAMI Park last Friday night.

The Rebels are appealing the verdict and are awaiting documentation from SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully detailing the reasons for his findings.

They have 48 hours to then lodge their appeal, with the Melbourne franchise reluctant to make any further comment until the outcome is known.

If unsuccessful, Byrnes will not be allowed to play until round 13 of the competition when the Rebels take on Western Force on May 20 in Perth.

Regardless of the appeal, the Russian World Cup representative could miss facing the champions in Brisbane due to a shoulder injury.

Jones played at blindside flanker against the Waratahs but could move to the second row with former rugby league player Jarrod Saffy expected to be fit to face the unbeaten Reds.

The hard-working Saffy was a late withdrawal from a bench role against the Waratahs with a quadriceps twinge.

Jones, 20, has represented Australia at the junior world championships as a lock and would give the Rebels plenty of mobility in the position, playing alongside the impressive Hugh Pyle.

Jones was signed by the Force as a schoolboy and went on to play two Super Rugby matches off the bench there before moving to Melbourne.

The Rebels could also call on the experience of battle-hardened lock Al Campbell, who came off the bench against the Waratahs.

In some much-needed good news for the Rebels, Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale is set to play against the Reds after missing their opening match due to his ongoing hamstring problems.

The Rebels desperately missed his attacking zeal against the Waratahs, only managing a penalty try in their points haul.

Regular skipper Stirling Mortlock is still sidelined with his calf problem.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 05, 2012 16:23:11

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