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.

RFU Podcast: James Haskell, Neil Back, Will Greenwood

Posted on Jul 8, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

JAMES HASKELL’S plans for the future include a spell in Japan with the Ricoh Black Rams and an ambition to play in Super 15 before he returns to London Wasps next year.

The RFU Podcast caught up with the England flanker in Surrey – where he’s bidding for a place in Martin Johnson’s 30-man squad for New Zealand – to hear about the road ahead.

"There’s such a big journey with England and at this camp that nothing is guaranteed but if everything works then out going to Japan is a great opportunity," said Haskell.

"As an international player going to Japan you have to take responsibility, you have to deliver and I’ll have to stay on my toes because I have ambitions to go on to Super 15 and then back to Wasps.

"It’s also about the opportunity of doing something in my career that most players do when they finish or not at all."

This week on the RFU Podcast we also talk to two of England’s 2003 World Cup winners.

Neil Back tells us why he has signed a five-year deal to coach Rugby Lions, who have ambitions to reach the Aviva Premiership under the new ownership of Michael Aland.

The sevens game features heavily this summer with the Vauxhall Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham this weekend followed by the start of the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Sevens kicking off at Bath on July 15.

Will Greenwood previews the latter – and gives his verdict on the selection choices facing England in the build-up to the World Cup.

England team to face NZ – Shaw, Worsley & Erinle in

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Rugby News

England have made three changes in personnel to the side to face New Zealand in the Investec Challenge international at Twickenham on Saturday (2.30pm).

London Wasps lock Simon Shaw, flanker Joe Worsley and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle come into the starting line-up and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto trades places with Ugo Monye.

Shaw takes over from Louis Deacon and wins his 53rd cap at the age of 36, former Wasps and Leicester centre Erinle makes his first start in place of Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints) and experienced Wasps flanker Worsley replaces Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) in the back row.

(more…)