Winger Reece Hodge has put Australian Rugby in more poor light when he claimed he didn't know World Rugby's decision‑making framework for high tackles.
The framework gives officials guidance on whether an act of foul play is worthy of a sanction.
Hodge, a rugby professional for three years with 38 Wallabies caps, made the remarkable assertion in his defence against a citing for a dangerous high tackle at the Rugby World Cup.
In a report on the disciplinary hearing released on Thursday, a day after Hodge was suspended for the Wallabies' remaining three pool games, the disciplinary committee was taken aback and concerned by Hodge's claim.
The committee noted: that Hodge conceded that he had no effective knowledge of World Rugby's `Decision-making framework for high tackles' - had not been trained on it, was not across it because the tackles he makes are predominantly in the waist to knees area.
The panel disagreed with Hodge's defense that Yato hit him and not the other way round, that Hodge initially intended to tackle him hip-high, that Yato lowered himself before the tackle, and that the tackle was reactionary.
Australia will face Wales at 7.45 pm this Sunday.
[Source:Stuff.co]
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