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AAP
October 05, 2015 9:46PM
THE Wallabies could be without vice-captain Michael Hooper for the crunch Rugby World Cup match with Wales after the key forward was cited for alleged foul play in Saturday’s victory over England.
The flanker was cited over an incident late in the first half of the 33-13 belting at Twickenham, where he cleared out England fullback Mike Brown in the ruck, World Rugby announced on Monday.
He has been cited for allegedly “charging into the ruck or maul without use of the arms or grasping the player”.
Hooper, who was penalised but not yellow-carded for the incident, faces a hearing in London on Tuesday.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/ru...-1227558042688
Sean McMahon backed to replace cited Hooper
Iain Payten
The Daily Telegraph
October 06, 2015 5:32AM
SKIPPER Stephen Moore is confident young gun Sean McMahon can step up for the Wallabies if star flanker Michael Hooper is suspended for charging into England fullback Mike Brown with his shoulder at a ruck during their victory at the weekend.
Hooper was cited late on Monday night (AEST) and will face a hearing at 8pm on Tuesday night after a citing commissioner found he’d allegedly performed an act of foul play contrary to law 10.4 (charging into a ruck or maul without use of the arms or grasping the player) in the last minute of the first half at Twickenham.
Referee Romain Poite was happy with a penalty only but, as is the requirement to be cited, Kiwi citing commissioner Steve Hind determined Hooper’s actions could have justified a red card.
The Wallabies will firmly defend the charge but given Hooper only uses one arm — not both — and World Rugby are hot on protecting the head and neck, there is a gloomy feel. Officious box-ticking judicial officers have suspended players for less.
The entry point suspension for the offence is two weeks, and it can go much higher.
“I can’t really comment too much on the incident and we haven’t thought about him being suspended,” Moore said overnight.
“We are planning for him to play and we hope for the best possible outcome. If anything other than happens, we will have to deal with it.”
Losing Hooper would be a huge blow but if there is a small mercy for the Wallabies, it is there is no shortage of in-form reserves ready to step in.
McMahon, who was superb against Uruguay in a man-of-the-match effort, could potentially come in at no. 7, or in-form Ben McCalman could play no. 8 and David Pocock moves back to open side.
“Every chance he (McMahon) has got to play for Australia, he’s been outstanding,” Moore said.
“He was man of the match a couple of times. He is a quality player, and has shown that a couple of times for the Rebels and at training he’s just been terrific. He’s been ripping in at training. He’s ready to go if he’s needed.
”We have some quality in that part of the team. The guys who are playing are doing a good job.”
Meanwhile, Sam Burgess has escaped a date with the judiciary for his high shot on Hooper. Despite collecting him across the chin, the same citing officer only deemed that worthy of a Commissioner’s warning, or in effect, a post-game yellow card.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/ru...-1227558236275