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Clive Woodward slams decision to ban Reece Hodge
By Josh Raisey
England World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward has disagreed with World Rugby’s decision to ban Australian back Reece Hodge for three weeks.
The utility Wallaby back was handed the ban on Wednesday following a tackle on Fijian flanker Peceli Yato last Saturday which was deemed dangerous and forced the player off the field with concussion. Hodge was initially banned for six weeks, but it was reduced based on his character and disciplinary record.
By and large, the rugby world is in agreement with this decision as many feel it should have been a red card in the game. Hodge made contact with Yato’s head with his shoulder and with World Rugby clamping down on high and dangerous tackles, many of these tackles have been adjudged to be red cards before.
However, the likes of former Wallabies Tim Horan and Drew Mitchell have voiced their disapproval at this decision and Woodward has now joined them.
He said that it is a “totally wrong decision” on Twitter, adding: “Has any of those making this decision ever tried stopping someone as powerful as Yato by wrapping their arms around him? - good luck if you try that!”
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Some fans were quick to point out that Hodge did try and wrap his arms around, but still made contact with the Clermont flanker’s head. But Woodward insisted that it “happens so quickly players cannot possibly react to every situation”.
This mirrors what some others have said, that Yato led with his head in order to bounce Hodge and the Melbourne Rebels back was caught off-guard.
Seeing as Australia-Fiji was only the second game of the RWC, it may be a sign that there are many more bans to come, particularly as there are more hearings scheduled.
This is perhaps why the likes of Mitchell and Woodward have raised their concerns at this decision, as this RWC could ultimately be defined by suspensions.
But as World Rugby try and make the game safer, any contact with the head will put any tackler in trouble. That is why so many agree with the decision to ban Hodge.
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Think we have to accept we have been on the slide for a while now.Still interesting to see the repeated media pieces about the myth of the ABs slipping-I would say slipped past tense.In part don’t we have to give credit for the improvement of other nations particularly Ireland?Isnt that good for the game?Are we beginning to feel the impact of losing the Boks from Super rugby and maybe soon TRC?I would agree we are also ran right now so will be interesting to see how we progress-assuming we do!Isnt that part of sport though to be in improvement mode?Back to the stats though I think the Boks were under 60% leading into 2019?Now with the focus on the RWC does it matter so much what you are doing between tournaments?You just get through your group(remembering the ABs qualified 2nd in 2023)and then you have 3 matches to win the thing.
Go to commentsThe ABs have more than enough back line guys so don’t see issue there. Just the balance at center and feel time for Rieko to sit out.Forwards- balance still not right. Front row ok but miss Codie. But still ok. Locks- you now need to start s a tall timber at middle of lineout- Darry is the right guy. Then move Sititi to 8, move Ardie to 7 and then move Vaai to blindside. He can become the closest to PSdT . Then have proper bench as this is not a demotion but key to dominating last 30 minutes- Patrick, Ofa etc are golden here. Get the balance right between starters and finishers
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