Three-week bans for all four punished players making no sense to fans

So far in this World Cup, four players have received bans for high tackles and the fact that all of them have been suspended for three-weeks has left many fans confused. 

Australia’s Reece Hodge, Samoa’s Rey Lee-Lo and Motu Matu’u and the USA’s John Quill have all copped punishments and while that was in the order that the offences occurred, it is probably the order of their severity too. 

The Wallabies winger was not punished during the game for his high shot on Fiji’s Peceli Yato and there have been people who have argued for and against him being punished since his upheld citing. 

Meanwhile, the Samoan duo both received yellow cards – although many felt they were red card offences – and Quill received a straight red card for his shocking shot on England’s Owen Farrell. The decision to give both Hodge and Quill the same length ban has left fans on social media bewildered. 

There seems to be a gulf between the two tackles, with Hodge seemingly caught off guard by Yato stepping in to bounce him. It certainly wasn’t legal, but few would argue that it was comparable to Quill’s shoulder charge to the head of Farrell as he was off balance and it was after the whistle had blown. 

(Continue reading below…)

Both players received six-week bans that were reduced to three based on their character, which seems to be the standard practice at the moment. 

Some have speculated why the American’s punishment was so lenient. The fact he received a red card in the game might have had some effect, but Farrell was also able to play on as opposed to Yato who was forced off the field with concussion and missed Fiji’s next game. 

That really should have no bearing on the decision, though, as the tackled player’s capacity to receive an illegal tackle should not be relevant.

Based on the new tackling framework set by World Rugby, it is understandable why all of these players were banned and they cannot really have any complaints. The length of the bans, however, is proving to be problematic. This is what has been said:

This is outrageous and sends no message whatsoever. Presumably he had it reduced because of his impeccable manners, his opposition to seal clubbing and the work he does for charity. Rugby disciplinary committees are beyond a joke!

— Wrighty (@neilwrightlegal) September 27, 2019

@WorldRugby really are there owe worst enemies, what is the point of being in a framework for refs to follow to try and gain consistency if the disciplinary panels are just going to give everyone a three week ban!?! #RWC2019 #ENGvUSA https://t.co/fqEoPTug13

— Graeme Hobbs (@GraemeHobbs93) September 27, 2019

Reece Hodge (AUS) & John Quill (USA) both get 3 game suspension for High tackles that involved no arms, and only shoulder, yet Rey Lee-Lo (SAM) used arms in a legit attempt to tackle and gets 3 game suspension. Lee-Lo tackle is completely different and shouldn’t be 3 game ruling.

— alton carmine (@acarsalt) September 27, 2019

Only 3 matches! Where is the consistency?

— Alan 'BigAl' Frener (@Bigal0546) September 27, 2019

@RugbyWcup2019This Quill's illegal thuggery was the worst I have seen in a long time, that's a 2 month ban under any criteria. yet he has only copped the same as Reece Hodge while 3 weeks/matches is what Piers Francis will get. Both were infinitely lesser incidents of foul play

— sussexfox (@sussexfox1) September 27, 2019

Right, OK, but this to me is where WR fall down. Fans want common sense. Other than Scots fans, Quill was a clear red. And I can see (with my eyes) that Hodge was not as bad, but bad enough to warrant the same onfield sanction. But that doesn't mean bans should be the same. No?

— Peter Redman (@redmanpe) September 27, 2019

Surprised Quill only got 3-game ban for a much worse offence than the same suspension Hodge received.

— Haydn Davies (@haydn_davies) September 27, 2019

https://twitter.com/Stephen05937711/status/1177517145195864064?s=20

After these decisions, some players will feel very hard done by if they receive anything more than a three-week ban unless they have done something truly egregious. Likewise, there will only be more uproar on social media if that happens as well. 

WATCH: Reece Hodge’s disciplinary hearing excuse doesn’t wash with fans