The World's Cup: Judiciary decisions a 'joke'

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has tweeted his reaction to the judiciary announcements. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Deane scours global media for an offbeat look at rugby's biggest show.

GUESS WHO'S BACK?

"If you still think World Rugby is fair, go kill yourself." No prizes for guessing whose reaction that was after the Rugby World Cup judiciary announced a paltry one-week ban for Irish flanker Sean O'Brien for his off-the-ball sucker punch on French lock Pascal Pape. The suspension followed the non-citing of Australian David Pocock after footage appeared to show the Aussie star kneeing a Welshman in the chest. And, of course, the five-week ban slapped on Samoa winger Alesana Tuilagi for 'striking' Japan's Harumichi Tatekawa with his knee while being tackled.

"Deliberate punch. 1 week. Deliberate knee. 0 weeks. Deliberate running. 5 weeks. @worldrugby you absolute f****** joke," tweeted Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu.

FAIR DINKUM

Pocock's non-citing continues a pretty decent run for the Australians at the beak during the Cup. Key flanker Michael Hooper was cited for foul play during the victory over England and faced a potential tournament-ending ban. But Hooper copped just a one week suspension when the severity of his offence was downgraded. "The judiciary took into account his contrition, good on- and off-field record and good behaviour during the hearing," reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Good behaviour during the hearing? You what? Has anyone ever behaved badly at a hearing. What did they do, turn up drunk with a carload of hookers?

TRES BIEN

French sports daily L'Equipe seemed less than impressed with O'Brien's one-week ban. "Une Sanction Bien Clemete" - "A very lenient penalty" - was how the paper put it. L'Eqiupe pointed out that Pape had copped 10 weeks earlier in the season for his own piece of foul play - a knee to Jamie Heaslip's back in a Six Nations match. L'Equipe noted, sardonically we assume, that O'Brien's suspension was halved due to his clean record, the fact that Pape was able to play on and because O'Brien expressed remorse and had a nice personality.

OCH AYE THE NOOOOOOO

It's not just Samoans feeling the lesser nations cop a raw deal at the judiciary. Scotland's chances of upsetting the rampant Australians have suffered a major blow with hooker Ross Ford and second row Jonny Gray kicked out of the tournament for a tip tackle. The players received three-week suspensions after being found guilty of making a joint illegal tackle on Jack Lam in the victory over Samoa. The offence was missed by the on-field officials but picked up by Australian citing officer Scott Nowland. Hmmm.

JUSTICE FOR DAN

In what must have been a busy night for judiciary, Tonga's Paula Ngauamo was suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tip tackle on All Blacks first five Dan Carter. The replacement hooker was cited by independent commissioner Mike Rafter after being sin-binned for the tackle in the 70th minute of Tonga's 47-9 defeat in Newcastle. At the time Carter could apparently be overheard suggesting to the referee he felt it was a red card offence rather than the yellow dished out to Ngauamo. But with just over 10 minutes to play when he was binned, Ngauamo ended the match on the sidelines anyway. His three-week ban comes after Tonga's involvement in the tournament has ended.