Simmons to appeal eight-week ban

Updated November 15, 2012 12:32:52

The Wallabies are expected to appeal the severity of the eight-week ban handed to lock Rob Simmons for a lifting tackle against France last weekend.

The suspension was dished out to Simmons at an International Rugby Board (IRB) disciplinary hearing in London on Thursday (AEDT).

Reserve lock Simmons lifted France flanker Yannick Nyanga during the Wallabies' 33-6 European tour opening defeat in Paris on Saturday.

Simmons' absence from the weekend's clash with England is particularly costly coming on the back of a run of injuries that have ruled out David Pocock and Kane Douglas this week.

Centre Pat McCabe is the latest to withdraw from the squad with a neck injury.

Simmons' ban came on the same day the IRB gave a one-week suspension to New Zealand's Adam Thomson for stamping on the head of Scotland's Alasdair Strokosch during the All Blacks' 51-22 victory at Murrayfield last weekend.

The apparent inconsistencies of the two bans are believed to have the Wallabies puzzled and looking for answers from the IRB.

Judicial officer for the IRB Robert Williams, who heard Simmons' case, said the forward's tackle was at the high end of the scale of sanctions.

"We're disappointed in the decision but I haven't had the opportunity to read the decision yet and obviously we'll do that before we settle on whether that's the end of the matter or not," Deans said.

"There is the potential to appeal but we'll have to consider his decision, the wording of it, the transcript of it ... it's not something we would do lightly."

Meanwhile former England hooker Brian Moore described Thomson's suspension as "ludicrously lenient".

Thomson was given a yellow card for the incident with Scotland coach Andy Robinson later commenting the All Blacks back-rower was lucky not be sent off.

Simmons wasn't given a card during the Stade de France clash because neither referee Nigel Owens or his touch judges saw who made the tackle.

IRB chief executive Brett Gosper responded to Moore and others who made similar complaints over the verdict on Twitter.

"The IRB will review this case as it is a match under our jurisdiction. If we decide to take action we will make it public," Gosper said.

Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu slammed the Thomson verdict and compared it with the three-week ban he received from England's Rugby Football Union last year for tweets about English player Owen Farrell.

"I got 3 weeks for sarcastic tweets. So had I just rucked Farrell's head I would have got only a week? Its just so comical these days," Fuimaono-Sapolu said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, england, australia

First posted November 15, 2012 07:22:05

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Reds still mulling Cooper appeal

Updated July 18, 2012 15:35:10

Queensland is still considering whether to appeal the one-match suspension handed down to star Reds fly half Quade Cooper.

Cooper was given the ban at a SANZAR judicial hearing on Monday after he was placed on report for a high tackle on New South Wales' Berrick Barnes in Saturday night's 32-16 win at Lang Park.

The Reds argued Cooper did not deserve suspension, as the tackle was only deemed to be worthy of a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

SANZAR allow a 48-hour window to launch an appeal following a judicial ruling.

The Reds issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying they were seriously considering an appeal but were wary of it distracting the team's preparations.

"Under the current SANZAR protocols if we were to launch an appeal we would lose at least a further day of preparation with Ewen and Quade, who would both be required to fly to Sydney for another hearing," Reds chairman Rod McCall said in a statement.

"However, we are cognisant of the need to support our player if we feel he has been treated harshly and in our opinion we still strongly believe the tackle did not warrant suspension."

Should Cooper serve the one-match suspension he will miss the Reds' qualifying final against the Sharks at Lang Park on Saturday night.

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted July 18, 2012 15:34:01

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Reds yet to decide on appeal

Updated July 17, 2012 18:18:45

Queensland is backing stand-in number 10 Ben Lucas to keep the Reds' Super Rugby title defence on track despite not making a final decision on whether to appeal playmaker Quade Cooper's one-game ban.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said they would wait until they received the written judgment on Cooper's suspension - expected to be later on Tuesday - before making a final call ahead of Saturday night's qualifying final with the Sharks.

In a major blow to the defending champions, Cooper was found guilty of a dangerous tackle on New South Wales centre Berrick Barnes in Queensland's 32-16 final round win over the Waratahs after a marathon judicial hearing on Monday night.

"We will look at the reasons then go forward," McKenzie said on Tuesday.

"We think there might be grounds (to appeal) but it doesn't mean we will go forward with it.

"We will make an informed decision when we get all the information but we have to get on with our preparation for the Sharks."

A gutted Cooper said on Monday night he was wary of appealing due to the risk of adding more weeks to his ban if unsuccessful.

However, McKenzie said he would not be losing any sleep over utility back Lucas slotting in for the Wallabies five-eighth in the sudden death finals clash at Lang Park.

"I am not worried (about using Lucas). We have always said we are confident for cover if Quade is out," he said.

"Hopefully he rises to the occasion. He has done it before for us."

The last time Lucas filled in for Cooper at number 10 he helped inspire a stirring 42-27 win over New Zealand conference winners the Chiefs.

Reds captain Will Genia looked forward to combining with Lucas who seemed set to get the nod over their other number 10 option, goal-kicking inside centre Mike Harris.

"Ben has been exceptional the times he has been at 10 for us - he will step in and do the job," Genia said on Tuesday.

"It is obviously very disappointing not having Quade play but in terms of the process you have to trust it and back the decision that was made.

"From our point of view we have to move on."

Queensland will be out to exact revenge when it vies for a seventh straight win in front of a predicted 50,000-strong pro-Reds crowd.

The Reds led the Sharks 17-0 in their early season clash in Durban but somehow lost 27-22 - along with Lucas and Harris to injury as well as Digby Ioane to suspension.

It sparked a three-game losing slump, threatening to derail the Reds' title defence - not that Genia had to be reminded.

"I can't wait. From 17-0 up then to lose the game ... I am really looking forward to another opportunity to play them," he said.

If the Reds beat the Sharks then Cooper will be free to return for the semi-final against the Chiefs in Hamilton next week.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, qld

First posted July 17, 2012 15:24:11

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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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