Cheika at a loss as Jennings appeal fails

RUGBY DISCLIPLINARY HEARING:LEINSTER COACH Michael Cheika has said rugby is in danger of becoming more like soccer, where players dive for effect and questioned why there was no citation when a hand was clearly placed on Brian O'Driscoll's eyes following a fracas with Andy Goode in Leinster's match against Brive at the weekend.

Cheika was reacting to the failed appeal of Leinster flanker Shane Jennings against a 12-week suspension. The appeal was dismissed yesterday by an independent appeals committee.

The committee, which sat in Dublin, upheld the initial finding that the Leinster openside flanker was guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship when he made contact with the eye, or eye area, of London Irish secondrow Nick Kennedy in their first round Heineken Cup match on October 9th in the RDS.

The decision means Jennings will not be available for Leinster or Ireland until January 7th, 2010.

“I think we feel mystified by the process,” said Cheika. “I think anyone looking on that night would see it was pretty clear Shane Jennings didn’t warrant a penalty never mind a red card, which is normally the criteria for citing.

“Shane Jennings was held by two opponents. He tried to get up. His hands went on eyes. Nick Kennedy’s testimony was he over -reacted. What that leads to now is a little bit like diving in soccer.

“We are at a loss because if you go to the 78th minute of Leinster’s match against Brive there is a clear hand in Brian O’Driscoll’s eye.”

Irish Rugby Union Player Association chief executive Niall Woods added his dismay at the decision.

“This was dismissed. A lot of appeals are successful,” he said. “They need to expedite the whole disciplinary process. There continues to be a lack of trust. This does not sit well with players.

“I think the sanctions need to be looked at, what is serious and what is not and the best way to do that is to bring into the process people who have played or refereed the game in recent years.

“The sanctions for professionals and amateurs should also be looked at. Twelve weeks for an amateur does not affect livelihood, 12 weeks for a professional does in terms of match fees, win bonuses and career progression. There needs to be consistency brought into the disciplinary process.”

Jennings, whose foul on Kennedy was considered to be at the lower level of seriousness for such an offence, will have to sit out next month’s international program involving Australia, Fiji and South Africa as well as two Heineken Cup matches which will be definitive in terms of the success or failure of Leinster’s European season.

Jennings, Cheika, and Woods may look on in bafflement at the decision that immediately followed Jennings’ when Northampton lock Juandre Kruger was suspended for three weeks for stamping on Perpignan’s Nicolas Durand last Friday.

Kruger’s offence was adjudged to have been at the mid-range level of serious for stamping. Under IRB Regulation 17 and the ERC Heineken Cup Disciplinary Rules, the recommended sanction entry point for a mid-range offence of stamping is five weeks.