The disciplinary process and the suspensions meted out at the Rugby World Cup have become the most contentious issue at the tournament, with the general consensus that non-tier one nations have been penalised more harshly – well, non-tier one and Scotland.
The numbers, in terms of weeks, substantiate the assertions, but the tone of any debate is skewed by subjectivity to a degree.
Ireland will feel that due process was served for Seán O'Brien's suspension (one week) while Scotland are incandescent about the three-week, tournament ending bans given to hooker Ross Ford and secondrow Jonny Gray.
Australian coach Michael Cheika took a pragmatic view of the disciplinary process – something he admitted he wouldn't have done five years ago – aware that others will complain that the Wallabies have been treated lightly in the case of incidents involving backrows Michael Hooper (one week) and David Pocock (a warning).
‘Roll with it’
Cheika argued: “Like a lot of things in rugby it will be open to different interpretations and you have to roll with it and present the best case you can. You feel for the players. But it has been building the last couple of years. It hasn’t just come in at the
World Cup
. You have to accept the way it is. If you have the choice you accept it and play under that or don’t be involved. You understand the rules. They are very clear, referees and authorities, about the focus points for them from way out.
“Not just the tournament. They sent us the things they will be focusing on – neck rolls, tip-tackles. Everyone knows it. Tip-tackles often aren’t intentional, that’s just the way it is.”
The Australian coach said that he felt sorry for the plight of Ford and Gray, albeit not having seen the incident.
“I haven’t watched many games yet but I know the two players from their history with Scotland. They are very influential but I think these types of tournaments are made for people stepping up. You have your international best players in a country and the guys who will replace those two are ready to roll. We understand there will be 23 players in the Scotland jersey trying to smash us. It doesn’t matter about the names on the jerseys.”
Over-sanitised
He was adamant that the sport is not in danger of being over-sanitised and thereby losing some of its core characteristics in terms of the physical side of rugby.
“No, I don’t think it has lost something. The game’s qualities are the same. That is why we love playing it and being a part of it. It’s not an issue of whether the game has lost its core qualities around contact and the physicality. More access, more vision, more opinion and people watching the game; the authorities have decided that is the way they are going to go.”
Cheika confirmed that Matt Giteau (concussion), who is expected to win his 100th cap for the Wallabies on Saturday – as will captain Stephen Moore – didn’t train on Tuesday but was expected to take a full part in yesterday’s double session.
The pair will follow in an auspicious line of players to make 100 Test appearances for the country, becoming the seventh and eighth to do so after George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, David Campese and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The news on Izzy Folau (ankle) and David Pocock (calf) is a bit more circumspect.
Cheika explained: “The other two we read as we go. We have two sessions today so they will maybe do one of the two. Izzy was good [on Monday], I think a bit better than what he was the first day out from the last one. I think just a bit of fatigue on Israel’s [injury] more.”
