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Brutal 'hit with head' on Danty results in a hefty ban for Acebes

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Gaizka Iroz/AFP via Getty Images)

Seasoned Perpignan skipper Mathieu Acebes has received a hefty ban following his horror red-carded Top 14 diving headbutt on France midfielder Jonathan Danty. It was New Year’s Eve when the La Rochelle player was attacked while vulnerable on the ground during the first half of a feisty French league encounter.

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The incident resulted in a red card being brandished and a subsequent social media spat between the two players before an independent disciplinary hearing panel decided in midweek to ban Acebes for nine matches.

The winger’s offence had a top-end range entry point of 16 weeks before 50 per cent mitigation was applied. The judiciary then added an extra week to the sanction, leaving Acebes sidelined until March 27.

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A Top 14 statement read: “Mathieu Acebes was found responsible for ‘brutality’ and more particularly for ‘hit with head’. It is the higher degree of the scale of gravity which was retained, that is to say a suspension of 16 weeks. After taking into account the mitigating circumstance (disciplinary record), the penalty was increased by one week.

“After taking into account the mitigating circumstances (admission of guilt before and during the hearing, and expression of remorse), the sanction was reduced by eight weeks, corresponding to a reduction of half of the chosen entry point. Consequently, Acebes is suspended for nine weeks. Taking into account the Perpignan fixtures schedule, Acebes will be requalified on March 27.”

The December 31 red card resulted in an online spat as the Perpignan captain Acebes had his subsequent social media apology rebutted by Danty. “I play with passion. Unfortunately this weekend I lost control of my emotions,” wrote Acebes. “Jonathan Danty is a player I respect a lot and I strongly regret my move and I apologised immediately after the game.

“I will face the consequences of this unfortunate move. Judging me on my values and integrity in this single gesture is regrettable. I don’t want to give that bad image.”

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In a since-deleted reply, Danty responded: “You do not regret your gesture and I do not excuse it. It was premeditated. Two minutes before you had warned me that you would take care of me, before headbutting me when I was talking on the ground with one of your teammates. Your apologies are intended for the disciplinary committee. You do not regret your gesture and I do not excuse it.”

Later in the Top 14 match, Danty suffered a rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament that will reportedly sideline him for three months, a prognosis that would rule him out of the entire 2023 Six Nations tournament with France.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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