Revealed: The evidence Owen Farrell gave at his disciplinary hearing
Thursday’s decision by World Rugby to appeal Tuesday’s Owen Farrell independent disciplinary hearing verdict was accompanied by the publication of the written decision from the case.
England skipper Farrell had his Summer Nations Series red card versus Wales last Saturday rescinded to a yellow card offence, resulting in the all-Australian judicial committee of Adam Casselden (SC, chair), John Langford and David Croft freeing him to resume playing with immediate effect.
It was Wednesday, the day after the three-and-a-half-hour video hearing, when World Rugby received the full written decision and the game’s global governing body now believes an appeal is warranted.
The seven-page written decision contained a summary of the evidence presented at the hearing by Farrell. It read: “The player’s oral evidence was broadly consistent with the video footage.
“He said that after W20 [Taine Basham] turned E18 [Dan Cole] around with his dummy pass, he [Farrell] set himself for contact that would give himself enough space to his right to effect a good (legal) tackle on W20’s right-hand side.
“He [Farrell] did not anticipate or foresee that W20 and E2 [Jamie George] would get involved with each other whereby W20 would be propelled sideways (across/diagonally) and towards him. He said when W20 was propelled across and towards him he did not have enough time and space to try and get his head out of the way.
“He [Farrell] said the position of his head was a subconscious reaction to W20’s body being propelled across him. The player gave his evidence in a measured and thoughtful manner. He was a matter-of-fact witness. We [ the judicial committee] accept his account as it accords with our observations of the video footage.”
The verdict section of the full written decision then explained the reasons why the Farrell red card was downgraded to a yellow card offence. “After careful analysis the judicial committee determined that there was, in this case, mitigating features present to reduce the degree of danger down to a point below the red card test.
“Contrary to the assessment by the foul play review officer we found, on balance, that there was mitigation present in this case. In our respectful opinion, the FPRO was in error by omitting to consider the late change in dynamics due to E2’s interactions in the contact area with W20 which, in our opinion, brought about a sudden and significant change in direction of W20 (the ball carrier).
“This late change in the dynamics denied the player [Farrell] both the time and space to adjust to avoid head contact with W20. In our opinion, it would be placing an unreasonable burden on the player to expect him to anticipate, foresee or predict, in the limited time available to him, this late change in dynamics.
“But for the interactions between W20 and E2 we are of the opinion that the player [Farrell] had enough time and space to execute a legal tackle on W20. This, in our opinion, is a sufficient mitigating feature in the player’s offending to bring the level of danger down to a point below the red card test.
“The player’s act of foul play was not intentional or always illegal to deny him the benefit of this mitigation. Therefore, having regard to the totality of the evidence before us we are satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the decision of the FPRO to upgrade the yellow card to a red card was wrong.
“Accordingly, the red card is dismissed and the player is free to resume playing rugby immediately. In reaching the above conclusion, it is important to record that no criticism is made of the FPRO nor, in our opinion, would any be warranted.
“Unlike the FPRO we had the luxury of time to deliberate and consider, in private, the incident and the proper application of the HCP. In contrast, the FPRO was required to make his decision in a matter of minutes without the benefit of all the relevant material including, importantly, hearing from the player and his legal representative.”
- Click here to read the full written decision from Tuesday’s Owen Farrell disciplinary hearing
Comments on RugbyPass
Now if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
4 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
4 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
4 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to comments