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James Horwill cleared of stamping

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captain James Horwill has been cleared of stamping on British & Irish lock Alun-Wyn Jones in the first Test in Brisbane yesterday.
Jones required stitches on a eye injury after the game but Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton QC found that on the balance of probabilities he could not find an intentional or deliberate action of stamping or trampling.
He said: “After hearing all the evidence I could not find that when James Horwill's right foot came into glancing contact with Alun Wyn Jones' face, that he Horwill was acting recklessly.
“I found that I could not reject as being implausible or improbable Horwill's explanation that as he was driving forward with his right leg raised he was spun off balance through the impact of Lions players entering the ruck from the opposite side.
“In an endeavour to regain his balance Horwill brought his right leg to the ground unknowing that Alun Wyn Jones' head was in that area, due to having his sight impeded by the presence of Michael Hooper and Tom Croft who were beneath him and over the top of Alun Wyn Jones. Due to these reasons I cannot uphold the citing.”
This is a big boost for Robbie Deans is sweating over the fitness of Christian Lealiifano (concussion), Pat McCabe (neck), Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder), Berrick (concussion) and Digby Ioane (shoulder).
As a result, Deans has called on veteran flanker George Smith, fullback Jesse Mogg and centre Ben Tapuai.
You can watch the video of the incident below.

 

3 Comments

  1. James
    23 June 2013 at 3:33 PM  ·  

    Just goes to show the complete inconsistency that exists in relation to foul play adjudications.
    The Video evidence is pretty conclusive IMHO.
    I am certain that if that had been a 6N or Premiership citing a (long) ban would have imposed.
    To say that..
    “I found that I could not reject as being implausible or improbable Horwill’s explanation that as he was driving forward with his right leg raised he was spun off balance through the impact of Lions players entering the ruck from the opposite side.”
    suggests that the video had not been viewed!

  2. Cliff Jones
    23 June 2013 at 4:27 PM  ·  

    Video was allegedly reviewed by Stevie Wonder. Horwill looks at AWJ then Stamps on him. Ned Kelly defended Aussie Captain.
    I seriously hope that there will be consistency if a Lion were inadvertently place his off balance studs squarely between Horwills eyes.
    In an act of regaining his balance of course.

  3. Gavin Williams
    23 June 2013 at 8:00 PM  ·  

    Astonishing, simply astonishing. I hope Horwill and the QC who cleared him can look at themselves in the mirror. No honour, no integrity, simply disappointing

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