How stuffed up is this?
It's a kangaroo court, claim Wallabies, after Elsom rubbed out
Greg Growden in Durban Chief Rugby Correspondent | August 27, 2008
THE Wallabies were in a state of disbelief last night after discovering breakaway Rocky Elsom will miss Saturday's Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg after the SANZAR judiciary banned him one game for dangerous play.
Wallabies officials were careful what they said, but it is known they were deeply disappointed Elsom was suspended for what was a minor incident when he tackled Victor Matfield in the air during a lineout in the second half of the Durban Test. They were awaiting the findings of the hearing, which is not likely to be provided until Wednesday, before deciding whether they would appeal against the decision. However, they have good cause to loudly complain about the decision and the process.
Such lineout incidents are common in Tests, and Elsom should not have even been cited. That he was then suspended is blatantly wrong, especially as there were far more dangerous incidents in the game, in particular when Springboks reserve Francois Steyn tackled Drew Mitchell when the Wallabies fullback was in the air. Butch James could have also been cited by several rough-house tackles on Berrick Barnes.
As embarrassing was the situation where the Wallabies had to wait three days to find out Elsom was out of the Ellis Park Test. Almost 24 hours after attending a judiciary hearing, the Wallabies still had no idea whether their back-rower would be suspended or not. Springboks prop CJ van der Linde was last night suspended for four weeks for striking Sam Cordingley with a flying headbutt.
The Wallabies yesterday assumed Elsom would be playing, and on Tuesday trained accordingly, with him heavily involved in all the forward work. It was not until the end of the session that they were told the decision.
A situation where the Wallabies and Springboks had to wait three days to get a decision is an embarrassment, and showed yet again the SANZAR judicial process needs a dramatic overhaul. The unnecessary procrastination left both sides in the dark for far too long. Also, why the hearing was not heard on Sunday, rather than held back until Monday, is beyond belief.
After a six-hour hearing on Monday, the two teams should have been told then, and not have to wait another day before getting a decision. Then again, what more can be expected of an organisation which doesn't even have a central office, and each year there is massive confusion as to which country does what in the running of SANZAR.
Minutes after being told the decision, a downcast Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who represented Elsom at the hearing, was asked if he was surprised by the ban.
"I'm not surprised by anything in the game these days," Deans said. "You enter, you hope for the best, and you have to live with what you have delivered.
"We haven't considered our response yet because we haven't had a chance to read the statement yet."
At least Wallabies training yesterday confirmed Adam Ashley-Cooper would be returning at fullback, after missing the Durban international because of a broken hand.
Earlier, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers continued to bewilder everyone, including his team, when he said he was the reason for the side's dreadful form, but then diverted the blame on his players because of their poor execution.
De Villiers, who with Matfield were booed by the Durban crowd after a dishevelled performance against the Wallabies, has this week been vilified by the South African media, and his reign is certain to be short.
The anger is too widespread and too intense, with the constant call being that he was simply a political appointment and has prompted enormous divisions within the Springboks team.
The common consensus is the players have lost all faith in their coach to the extent that the senior on-field personalities in the side are now running the Springboks.
De Villiers continues to argue he will not alter his game plan, and his players are at fault for not completely embracing it.
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/...-for-test-match/2008/08/26/1219516471382.html
