James Haskell Suspended for Three Weeks

Posted on May 1, 2012 in SANZAR

James Haskell was cited for punching in the Highlanders v Cheetahs match on 28 April 2012 in Bloemfontein. He was given a yellow card on the field, and the incident was referred to the citing commissioner (white card).

Mike Heron the Duty JO said: “After reviewing the relevant material (including the match footage, footage on the SANZAR intranet, citing report, match officials report and a medical report), I followed the Duty JO process via telephone calls with the player, his lawyer and other Highlanders personnel. At the end of that process, I gave an indication of penalty of 3 weeks’ suspension. After having time to consider that, the player accepted that suspension. Accordingly, James Haskell is suspended from all forms of the game for the 3 weeks to and including Saturday 19 May 2012 (that includes three scheduled Super Rugby matches). My reasons are as follows: The citing alleged that James Haskell punched the Cheetahs number 7 (Justin Downey) twice, the first with his right hand to Downey’s head (after being held and retaliating) and the second with a left jab in the face. The citing alleged that the second resulted in Downey going down on his haunches holding his face. The footage confirmed that, and Haskell accepted that he had punched the Cheetahs player twice. The citing report also stated that Downey received stitches for a gash on his eyebrow. That was confirmed by the medical report. “

The SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Mike Heron has accepted a guilty plea from James Haskell of the Highlanders for contravening Law 10.4 (a) Punching or Striking after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend. Haskell struck Cheetahs player Justin Downey twice as he left a scrum that was being completed, with a scuffle breaking out between several players following the incident.

Haskell has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks to and including Saturday 19 May 2012.

The incident occurred in the 33rd minute of the match between the Cheetahs and Highlanders at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on the 28th April.

(more…)

Tindall removed from EPS. Ashton and Haskell fined

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 in England, English Rugby, Rugby World Cup

THE Rugby Football Union has taken the following disciplinary action regarding breaches of the England Elite Player Squad Agreement during the 2011 Rugby World Cup:

• Mike Tindall has been removed from the England Elite Player Squad with immediate effect and fined £25,000 for his conduct around the events that took place in Queenstown on the night of Sunday, September 11, 2011
• Chris Ashton has been fined £5,000 (fine suspended until December 31, 2012), for his part in the events in Dunedin on Friday, September 9, 2011 and warned as to his future conduct
• James Haskell has been fined £5,000 (fine suspended until December 31, 2012), for his part in the events in Dunedin on  Friday, September 9, 2011 and warned as to his future conduct
• Dylan Hartley has been cleared of being involved in the exchange of inappropriate language which led to allegations of wrongdoing against himself, Chris Ashton and James Haskell, in Dunedin on  Friday, September 9, 2011

The sanctions follow appearances by the players before the RFU’s Professional Rugby Director Rob Andrew and Legal and Governance Director Karena Vleck.

Rob Andrew said: “We have considered all the evidence carefully and interviewed the players at length. These actions have not been taken lightly but we believe that in all these cases the sanctions are commensurate with the level of seriousness of what occurred.

“Mike Tindall’s actions reached a level of misconduct that was unacceptable in a senior England player and amounted to a very serious breach of the EPS Code of Conduct.  Whilst we acknowledge his previous good character it needs to be made clear that what he did will not be tolerated.

“Regarding the events in Dunedin, it should be stressed that the allegations of very serious wrong-doing made against Chris Ashton, Dylan Hartley and James Haskell by Annabel Newton, a member of staff at the team hotel, were entirely false. We do not believe the players had any intention to sexually harass or intimidate Ms Newton.

“However, the incident is precisely the kind of dangerous, compromising situation the players were warned about prior to departure for New Zealand and that they were specifically told to avoid in the EPS Code of Conduct.

“While we found that Dylan Hartley played no part in the ill-considered exchange with Annabel Newton, Chris Ashton and James Haskell’s behaviour on September 9 did breach the EPS Code of Conduct and they have each been given suspended fines of £5,000. If they commit any further breaches of the Code before December 31, 2012 the fines will become due.

“Finally, these episodes and the subsequent disciplinary action should stand as a strong reminder that the highest standards of personal conduct are expected from any England player on and off the field.”

The players have the right to appeal to the RFU Acting Chief Executive within three working days from today.

Haskell back in training

Posted on Aug 24, 2011 in England

The results of James Haskell’s scan have conclusively shown mild inflammation to a tendon in his foot. James trained fully yesterday and is considered fit for selection ahead of this weekend’s game against Ireland.

Haskell returns to Wasps in 2012

Posted on Jul 4, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

London Wasps have announced the return of England flanker James Haskell who will re-join the club on a three-year deal for the start of the 2012/13 season.

Haskell is to play in Japan after World Cup, but Wasps have swooped early to ensure that the powerful back-rower will be back with his old club in time for the 2012/13 Premiership season in England.

Haskell represented Wasps from 2002 to 2009 after graduating from the club’s Academy, making his Premiership debut at just 18 when he became one of the youngest players to play in the competition coming on against Harlequins in September 2003.

He has gone on to have a highly successful international career winning 34 caps for England and is in the mix to compete at this summer’s Rugby World Cup. Haskell joined Stade Francais in 2009 where he spent two seasons but Wasps have always kept a close eye on his career path with the aim of eventually bringing the player back the club.

London Wasps Chief Executive, Chris Thomas said “We will be delighted to welcome James back to Wasps next year. James is one of the real success stories from the club’s academy, coming right through our age-grade structure to become one of the best back-row players in the world. James is a world class player and everyone at the club is excited by his return.”

Haskell’s return comes following a busy few months of recruitment for the club who have already added over 10 new senior squad signings for the coming season. The club also appointed Dai Young as Director of Rugby this week, with the ex-Wales international joining the club on a four year contract.

James Haskell said: “I was very flattered and humbled by Wasps enthusiasm and commitment to re-sign me. As everyone knows my family and I were fans of Wasps long before I was privileged to be invited to join the Wasps Academy. So returning to the Club that has been pivotal in propelling me to where I am fortunate enough to stand today, was not one of the harder decisions I have ever had to make!

“Having said that I was very sorry having to leave Stade Francais. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Paris. I am grateful to the Club and in particular Max Guzzani for giving me the opportunity as he did. I will always remember my time in France with great affection. I believe I come back to Wasps both a better player and a more rounded individual as a result of my experiences abroad.

“I have had lengthy dialogue with the senior management at Wasps and am in no doubt as to their commitment and energy in endeavoring to restore the Club to its rightful position at the top of the tree. I am hugely encouraged by the quality of the new and proposed signings the Club has made.

Haskell will play in Japan with the Ricoh Black Rams, the side now coached by Leon Holden, who was the club’s interim Director of Rugby at the end of last season. He then aims to play a season of Super 15 Rugby before returning to London.

He added: “Wasps have been extremely far-sighted and generous in allowing me to continue my overseas adventures for one more season. I have a plan which seeks to maximise this unique opportunity before I return to Wasps, by experiencing playing the game in a number of different arenas.

“I hope by exposing myself to different coaching, cultures and playing styles, I will gain a greater understanding of the World game, which will hopefully only but be beneficial to both Wasps and myself for the 2012/13 season.

In the Rugby Rebels forum

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

The vexed question of which team should Warren Gatland pick to play Italy is a talking point in the Welsh Message Board (WMB). RR poster “Hook”, poses this question and offers Gatland the following advice:  “I think its important we don’t make the same mistake as Gats did last year but I would make a couple of changes and give some players a chance.” His team for Italy is: Byrne, Halfpenny, Shanklin, Roberts, James, Biggar, Phillips, Jones, Williams, Warbuton, Davies, J Thomas, Jones, Rees, Gill.

HorridM takes issue and says: “I hope we put out a good team for two reasons: 1) We need to build some confidence, 2) I’m going to that game. I can’t see us putting out too weak a team, because if we win our next two games we’ll be playing for the championship, if we don’t win them we’ll need to regain some pride.

Over in the England forum, Sharks fan Tiggers says: Back to proper rugby! Dafydd James makes his home debut and Gavin Kerr starts against his former club. Jones said, “Leeds will be hard to beat. They’ve got a good set piece and they’re desperate for a win. It’s a game that a lot of things hinge on so we really need to improve our discipline in our game. Leeds showed us back in November that they are a good side, but we have trained well this week and my players are ready and prepared for the challenge.”

(more…)