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.

 

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