Australia winger Reece Hodge claimed had no knowledge of World Rugby’s new framework for dealing with high tackles, it has been revealed.
Hodge will miss the crunch Rugby World Cup Pool D match with Wales on Sunday and a further two contests after being banned for a dangerous hit on Fiji’s Peceli Yato.
The tackle went unpunished after the time, with the TMO judging that there was nothing wrong with it.
Hodge was predictably cited and after being handed a three-match ban, the notes from that hearing have now been published.
In his evidence, Yato said: “From the moment he hit my face I blacked out and woke up when I was on my back.”
In his third HIA, believed to be the day after the game, the flanker had ‘symptoms of headache, ‘pressure in head’, dizziness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light/noise, fatigue/low energy, and difficulty concentrating.’
Hodge admitted he was in a poor position to make the tackle he initially intended and had to change his mind in a split second and attempt a ‘soak’ tackle.
And, most concerning, he insisted he hadn’t received training on World Rugby’s new tackle guidelines.
The report on the hearing read: “The player (Hodge) conceded that he had no effective knowledge of World Rugby’s ‘Decision making framework for high tackles’; had not been trained on it; was not across it because the tackles he makes are predominantly in the waist to knees area.”
It’s a remarkable admission that doesn’t show the Australian Rugby Union in the greatest light, given the amount of exposure the new framework has been given.
It’s certainly an excuse that wouldn’t wash in Wales’ camp, as forwards coach Robin McBryde was adamant everyone knew exactly where they stood when it came to the laws of the game.
“They are aware of the sanctions and protocols to reach those decisions,” said McBryde.
“It’s a tough one. Anybody who has played rugby knows that things happen in a split second. The aggressive nature and collision dominance that is spoken about in attack and defence means you have to be bang on the money.
“Easier said than done when the fatigue has set in and if the conditions are humid and players are tired that is when errors are made.
“Players are more than aware of the sanctions and hopefully we won’t see too many of them during the World Cup.”
When asked for is verdict on the challenge, Wales lock Jake Ball had little sympathy.
“Looking at that hit I think it was probably the right decision. I think it probably was a red card offence,” said Ball.
“You can’t really get away with it now, no arms.
“Any contact with the head and that’s the way things are going to go.
“As a player now, all you can do is try and avoid that situation.
