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Disciplinary hearing blow for Ireland U20s as two more players banned

Ireland celebrate a try in Paarl versus Australia (Photo by World Rugby via Getty Images)

Ireland have suffered a double blow at the Junior World Championship, starting back-rower James McNabney and replacement Rory Telfer both receiving three-match suspensions following disciplinary hearings in the wake of separate incidents in last Thursday’s pool win over Australia. 

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McNabney was cited for a high tackle in the 35th minute in Paarl, foul play that was missed at the time by the referee and the TMO. That occurred when Australia were ahead in the Pool B encounter and rather than have the forward sanctioned there and then and Ireland having to play the remaining 45 minutes with 14 players, Richie Murphy’s team played on with the full complement of players.  

They led 11-10 at the interval and were to ultimately win 30-10 in a game that did finish with them eventually reduced to 14 as Telfer was yellow-carded late on. That sin-binning was quickly upgraded to a red card offence when examined in the new 10-minute yellow card review window now allowed for by the TMO bunker.

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Ireland had come into their second match at the tournament having already picked up a red card versus England in their opener. Midfielder Hugh Cooney was sent off in that 34-all draw and banned for three games, a sanction that was reduced to two following his participation in the World Rugby coaching intervention programme.     

That same game-less facility will now be available for both McNabney and Telfer, meaning their respective three-game bans can also be reduced to two and ensure they will be available for selection in match day five at the tournament – a fixture that could potentially be the World Cup final if Ireland make it that far.    

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A disciplinary hearing statement read: “Ireland back row James McNabney appeared before an independent judicial committee on Saturday having been cited for a dangerous tackle (law 9.13). The independent disciplinary committee was chaired by Marcello d’Orey (Portugal), joined by former international players Olly Kohn (Wales) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa). 

“The committee, having considered the player’s submissions and reviewed all available evidence, found that the red card threshold had been met and that the citing was upheld. The committee noted that the offence carries a mandatory mid-range sanction (six matches) and having considered the mitigating factors, reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent. The final sanction is three matches as follows: 

  • Ireland vs Fiji – July 4
  • Ireland’s match in round four – July 9 
  • Ireland’s match in round five – 14 July* 

“The player intends to apply to take part in the World Rugby coaching intervention programme to substitute the final match of the sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. 

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“Ireland replacement Rory Telfer also appeared before an independent judicial committee on Saturday having received a red card in Ireland’s Pool B match against Australia. The red card was awarded pursuant to law 9.13 (dangerous tackle). 

“The independent disciplinary committee was chaired by Marcello d’Orey (Portugal), joined by former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former international referee Valeriu Toma (Romania). 

“The player accepted that foul play occurred and that the offending warranted a red card. The committee noted that the offence carries a mandatory mid-range sanction (six matches) and having considered the mitigating factors, reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent. The final sanction is three matches as follows: 

  • Ireland vs Fiji – July 4
  • Ireland’s match in round four – July 9
  • Ireland’s match in round five – 14 July* 

“The player intends to apply to take part in the World Rugby coaching intervention programme to substitute the final match of the sanction.” 

Elsewhere, Japan centre Yoshiki Omachi, who was red carded after charging into a ruck versus Wales in Stellenbosch last Thursday, was banned for one match and is unavailable to play against New Zealand next Tuesday.” 

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2 Comments
I
Ian 490 days ago

The Rory Telfer head to head was as clear a red as possible. Crazy running upright like that into an opponent. He's lucky to get a chance to play again in the tournament.

P
Poorfour 491 days ago

Three such incidents in two games suggests more than an individual discipline issue. Will we see more dangerous hits from Ireland as the tournament progresses? Not a good look for them or the game.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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