Another blow.
Ireland will be without Sean O’Brien for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina after the flanker was handed a one-week ban for his punch on Pascal Pape during the 24-9 pool stage win over France.
Hearing Sean O'Brien banned for Argentina game. 2 weeks reduced to one.
— Lauren Jenkins (@laurenemmaj) October 13, 2015
O’Brien was cited on Monday following that incident that was missed by the officials in the Millennium Stadium but picked up by TV cameras and the verdict was delivered this evening in London after an anxious wait for Irish fans after a hearing which began at 1pm.
While it is a blow for Joe Schmidt to lose such an influential player, especially in the light of the injuries in the Irish squad, there will no doubt be some sense of relief that the Leinster flanker will now be available for a semi-final should Ireland beat Argentina.
O’Brien was originally banned for two weeks, which would have ruled him out of any semi-final, but otherwise clean disciplinary record helped him escape the heavier punishment.
The official World Rugby statement said:
Following a review of available camera angles, O’Brien was cited by independent Citing Commissioner Dougie Hunter (Scotland) under Law 10.4(a) for striking with the hand, arm or fist during the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool D match against France at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 11 October.
O’Brien admitted committing an act of foul play and therefore the independent Judicial Officer Terry Willis (Australia) upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed an act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(a).
Willis conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representative.
With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of two weeks. The Judicial Officer considered that there were no aggravating factors. The Judicial Officer took into account compelling mitigating factors including O’Brien’s conduct prior to and at the hearing, his remorse, good character and clean disciplinary record, and reduced the suspension to a period of one week.
In the context of the Rugby World Cup tournament a week equates to one match. The suspension takes effect immediately, therefore O’Brien is suspended for Ireland’s quarter-final match against Argentina on Sunday, 18 October, 2015. He is free to resume playing on 19 October, 2015.
