SANZAR & ARU in Hooper stand-off
The Australian Rugby Union and SANZAR are heading for a public stand-off over the 'slap-on-the-wrist' handed down to Wallaby flank Michael Hooper.
SANZAR launched an appeal against the sanction that was given to Hooper this week.
And the ARU in turn said they will "vigorously" contest the appeal and launch and equally strong counter appeal against his guilty verdict.
Hooper appeared before a SANZAR judicial hearing this week, and was found guilty of having punched Argentina flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez in his team's 34-9 win over the Pumas at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas at the weekend.
The Wallaby flank escaped what could have been a severe punishment by receiving a mere one-week suspension which would see him miss a local Manly club game.
According to the SANZAR media release he would have played in a club match this coming Saturday and his 'ban' covers that fixture, thus he would be available for the International Test against the All Blacks the following week.
Under the SANZAR judicial rules, all formal judicial hearings are reviewed by an independent appeals review officer. The review officer, Graeme Mew (Canada), has examined the Hooper case and in his determination, referred it to a SANZAR appeals committee to review the sanction handed down by judicial officer Nigel Hampton.
This is a similar instance to that which occurred in the Frans Steyn case not so long ago in Super Rugby.
Steyn was originally let off scot-free from a tip-tackle on Chiefs flyhalf Aaron Cruden. However after an appeal was lodged by SANZAR's very own Greg Peters (New Zealand, and soon to be Argentina Rugby CEO). Steyn subsequently received a five week suspension.
A SANZAR appeals committee, chaired by Jannie Lubbe, with Terry Willis and Mike Heron as members, will hear the appeal via video conference on Sunday August 2.
The Australian Rugby Union have released a statement of their own regarding this appeal stating that they are 'extremely disappointed'.
"The ARU is extremely disappointed in receiving SANZAR's notice to appeal the sanction handed down to Wallabies flank Michael Hooper," the media statement read.
"The ARU will vigorously defend the SANZAR appeal on the severity of the sanction handed to the player.
"Furthermore, the ARU intends to cross-appeal the judicial officer's original finding that the player was guilty of committing an act of foul play.
"The ARU will make no further comment on this matter."
