Spear-tackling Brumby faces hearing
Brumbies star Michael Hooper will have to appear before a SANZAR judicial hearing next week, after it was decided to formally charge him for a spear tackle on an opponent in his team's 37-25 win over the Hurricanes on Friday.
Following initial consideration by the SANZAR judicial officer Mike Heron, Hooper was told to appear at a hearing after being cited for foul play.
Hooper is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (j): Lifting a Player from the ground and either dropping or driving that Player’s head and/or upper body into the ground whilst the Player’s feet are off the ground.
This came after he lifted Hurricanes player Victor Vito in a tackle and brought him down so his upper body hit the ground while his legs were still in the air.
The incident occurred in the 48th minute of the match in Wellington on Friday.
The Referee for the Match: Mark Lawrence penalised Hooper on the field for the incident.
The judicial officer for the hearing will be Nick Davidson.
The hearing will be held by video conference on Monday, May 21.
