Jean pleads guilty – and is docked two weeks
18 Jul 2010
Jean de Villiers admitted to making a dangerous tackle and has been suspended for two weeks.
De Villiers was cited for a spear tackle on Rene Ranger in Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks in Wellington. On Sunday De Villiers was barred from competitive rugby up to and including 1 August 2010 by Australian Sanzar judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan QC.
De Villiers becomes the second Springbok, after Bakkies Botha (nine weeks), to be suspended from participating in the Tri-Nations. The 60-cap player will, however, miss just one Tri-Nations fixture.
Wheelahan said De Villiers’ exemplary disciplinary record counted in his favour when he handed down the verdict. He also took into account the player’s admission of a dangerous tackle.
De Villiers’ unavailability is likely to see Gio Aplon start on the wing against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
De Villiers pleaded guilty to making a dangerous tackle, which would have contributed to getting the minimum suspension. It is unlikely he would have played against Australia this week after hurting ankle ligaments and only playing 40 minutes against the All Blacks.
556 Comments
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19 Jul 2010, 17:54 pm
@Atreides(Atreides)-549:
3. Jane didnt see it either. I saw 2 x ABs YCed at HQ (2006′ish) within minutes of each other for much much lower ‘head highs’. Kirchners was intentional, hit Jane in the FACE and saved an almost certain Try.
20 Jul 2010, 04:10 am
SANZAR Judicial Officer Dennis Wheelahan QC in Wellington today (Sunday), found Jean De Villiers guilty of a tip (spear?) tackle on Rene Ranger, and suspended him for two weeks
Wheelahan said that an important mitigating factor in De Villiers’ favour, was his exemplary disciplinary record, which consisted of one yellow card for persistent infringing during a career spanning nearly 10 years and 60 Tests. He also took into account the player’s admission of a dangerous tackle.
In 2008, Brad Thorn executed a spear tackle on John Smit – after the whistle had gone, and John didn’t even have the ball. (Australian) referee Stuart Dickinson, who saw the incident, only penalised Thorn, opting not to give him a yellow or red card.
Thorn was cited after the match and faced the same SANZAR judicial officer (Mr Wheelahan QC) as De Villiers. Mr Wheelahan said “the conduct was an act contrary to good sportsmanship rather than a dangerous tackle”. (Yes – that’s what he said!). New Zealand Rugby Union said in a statement: “After taking all matters into account, including Thorn’s previously excellent record as well as the sanction guidelines prescribed in the IRB Regulations, Mr Wheelahan imposed a suspension of one week.”
However, this was a considerably more dangerous more dangerous tackle than the one de Villiers executed on Ranger – Smit later left the field with a groin injury which he said developed after he was treated “like a tent peg.” (In the interest of fairness to Thorn, he had immediately apologised to Smit, and said that it had been unnecessary).
However, my point is – where is the consistency? If there is no anti-South African conspiracy, why were the same “guidelines prescribed in the IRB Regulations” not applied by Mr Wheelahan in setting de Villiers suspension? Why did Stuart Dickinson not yellow card Thorn immediately? (After all you can get a yellow card for a nudge with your boot).
Judge for yourself – video clips of both tackles and Roussouw’s card are available on YouTube.
I’m not saying the Springboks don’t have some serious selection and tactical issues to solve, but at least let’s all play to the same rules!
This inconsistency is ruining the game – I for one will not be watching on Saturday night – a good meal with some fine red wine will keep my sense of humor intact!
20 Jul 2010, 04:32 am
@boksfan(boksfan)-552: There is no anto south african conspiracy, only in south africans’ narrow minds. No one doubts that the yellow card on Roussouw was uncalled for, just a bad mistake by the ref. South african paranoia like this, by the few rather than the many no doubt, is only matched by their arrogance and superiority complex.
20 Jul 2010, 08:21 am
@boksfan(boksfan)-552:
Quite simple actually.
Thorn lifts Smit and then drops him mid-air. He has no contact with him when Smit hits the ground. As for the injury, Smit was already nursing that same injury throughout the season at Clermont, where Ledesma started 80% of matches. And, despite his reputation for indiscipline, Thorns record showed that he was very disciplined indeed, thats why he was stung at the lower end of the scale. He hasnt been before the Citing Committee before or after.
JdV at no stage drops Ranger. He has complete control of him at all times, his arms are wrapped around him as he hits the floor with his NECK. Therefore more intent, more dangerous.
If the jerseys were different colours, you’d see the same evidence before you too.
20 Jul 2010, 10:26 am
Yep folks it was an absolutely shocker by the ref… but don’t be alarmed. It is all part of an elaborate scheme by the Boks. It was clear during both these games that they didn’t try to enforce a game plan. And you trust me when I say, when the Boks want to play a game plan they will and nobody will stop them. If Roland gave the ABs the two yellows they deserved (ranger and McCaw) the game could have easily swung by 10-15 points, if Rossouw wasn’t handed that yellow another 10 points possibly, if McCaw didn’t kill our attacking ooportunities on the line at least 7 points, if Louw was allowed to fetch like in the S14 another at least 7 points swing, then don’t leave out the fact that we didn’t employ our A-game, another 10 points, and you are talking a massive hiding for the ABs at home. I say relax, things change very quickly in International rugby. We will not lose a single game for the remainder of the 3N I assure you. Not that this 3N is even remotely as important as what we want to achieve next year, why give away all your best moves. The ABs and Aussies won’t be any wiser about SA rugby after this 3N!! The next time they’ll see us will be next year, when we will revert back to our A-gameplan just in time for the WC…
20 Jul 2010, 10:45 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-554:
Not so simple actually.
After your comment I went back to view both tackles.
Yes, Thorn did drop him – no control, just dropped (also hits the floor head first)
Jean de Villiers went in low, lifted Ranger, tipping his head towards the ground, then fell back under Ranger’s momentum.
Agreed – both dangerous, both careless, but I don’t agree that Thorn’s action was any less dangerous or careless.
Also both players are not dirty, both have clean disciplinary records (de Villiers also has not been before the citing commissioner in his career), both apologised and admitted guilt.
So I ask again, why is one sanction 100% greater than the other?
When you look at the history of these incidents, are you really saying there is no bias? I don’t like to blame conspirancy theories either, but there are just too many of these one-sided displays by officials to just keep “copping it sweet”.
As for Waster, nice touch of irony there (you probably missed it!)
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