posted Apr 26, 2007

From what I've heard the allegations are not very specific. I havn't heard the term gouging used officially. Having said that there were 3 separate allegations so it seems he may well have had his chios on this one. Once is an accident,twice careless thrice = guilty. One is reminded of a young Freddy Mendez seeing red at Twickenham once and there maybe a parallel of two young tyros being pushed to the limit to find their edges and being too green to cope.But that is no excuse and a 6 month ban now will do him good rather than see him back in front of the court again.

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posted Apr 26, 2007

Someone on another thread reckoned Saints will win the appeal and Hartley will be eligible for SA tour

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posted Apr 26, 2007

Have read a feature from tomorrow's Times it appears that in the case of Haskell and O'Connor there was video evidence to collaborate the charge, but with Worsley the video was not working ,hence why this charge was dropped.
If that is the case then on what basis will Saints appeal Hartley's ban, it seems that the verdict will be upheld.

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posted Apr 27, 2007

Everyone seems to be touting Hartley as a potential England hooker.
With his current predilection for unmasked stupidity and cowardice (yes gougers are cowards) do we really need to spend each international with fourteen players on the park? Hooker is a key position and not one where you want yours watching from the touchline. Until his discipline improves he shouldnt even be considered.

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posted Apr 27, 2007

Eaxctly triple- you can be the hardcase without resorting to gouging.

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posted May 1, 2007

A six month ban is not long enough. Considering we are at the end of season.

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posted May 1, 2007

I made the same comment on a previous thread on this subject. There should be a life ban, without discretion, for anyone guilty of gouging. This would soon stop this reprehensible practice.
Anyone thick enough to fall foul of this law would have it coming-irrespective of age, degree of stupidity, etc etc..
Froggie.

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posted May 1, 2007

Wendell Sailor gets 2 years for taking a banned substance - something that is cheating but will only do physical harm to Sailor himself. Contact to the eyes is rated only one quarter as bad as this offence. I think gouging deserves a 2 year penalty too.

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posted May 1, 2007

There's no place in rugby for deliberate intent to injure another player. The game has inherent risks without allowing thug behaviour as well. I think Hartley should think himself lucky that most of his ban is in the "off" season.

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posted Apr 16, 2008

Cool

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