Heaslip cleared
Ireland No 8 Jamie Heaslip has been cleared of an allegation of eye-gouging brought by the Springboks.
Independent citing commissioner Douglas Hunt made the decision on Monday evening, after South Africa asked for special investigation into an incident involving Heaslip and flank Heinrich Brüssow in the first half of the Croke Park Test on Saturday. South Africa reportedly had no concrete evidence for Hunt to work with in his investigation.
The Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] said they were ‘very disappointed’ with the saga and lamented Heaslip’s name being mentioned in the media.
‘The Six Nations has confirmed to the Irish Rugby Football Union that none of a number of referrals made by South Africa against Ireland players has been upheld by the independent citing commissioner that was present at the game between Ireland and South Africa in Croke Park on Saturday 28 November,’ they said in a statement.
‘The Ireland management is, however, very disappointed that the name of an Ireland player was subsequently associated with eye-gouging in the media as a result of one of these unsubstantiated referrals.’
The IRFU also questioned the validity of the claims brought against Heaslip and others.
‘The Ireland management fully support and believe in the integrity of the citing process in place, but believe that any referrals in this process should be made only when they are material and substantial.’
December 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
The fact that the SA delegation asked for all the footage and were only given footage from less than half of the camera’s wouldn’t warrant a conspiracy would it?
Heaslip could have butt raped the Irish prime minister and the citing wouldn’t have stuck.
At least our lot are citing for a long time we didn’t and it cost us.
Heaslip is a hypocrite considering all his vocals after Schalks indiscretion. I think we should just wait for him to tour SA again and we shall welcome him in our own special way.
Mind you the Irish are hypocrites aren’t they. Tossers like Bono denouncing Apartheid when in Ireland people still live in segregated communities with big walls seperating them from each other. If it wasn’t for Guiness, the beautiful Carolines and some decent fishing the rest of the world would have nuked them years ago.
(oh and for the politically correct, I abhorred apartheid I just think Bono would do better to try sort Irelands kak out first before boring us with his self serving egotistical campaigns to save the world.)
December 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
@sideline:
Mud sticks.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
@Atreides: man – your observation and comment is spot on
December 1st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
@Bokpoot: no just waiting for the answer u are desparately avoiding giving…
@DEE DAH: and dont forget that wonderful chap Bono banks offshore so he doesnt have to share his taxes with the rst of his countrymen …
@cane: especially in ireland – lol
December 1st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
@ultra vires:
Hey Moron South Africa has cited less players than any of the top nations.
If Heaslip was cited it was because he did something wrong.
The Boks don’t whinge and they don’t shy away from physicality. After the France test where they completely bullied us we didn’t cite anybody then did we? Both Bakkies and Victor had head wounds that were caused by a bit of extra but there was no need to cite.
The Lions tour to SA showed why the British empire collapsed and why the Brits were able to rule Ireland for centuries. The Poms have gone soft and the Irish are even softer.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@Bokpoot: still waiting for your evidence …
December 1st, 2009 at 12:07 pm
@Atreides #44:
Good Post Atreides. Much more than I deserved.
I think PdV, most likely retracted and apologise on the orders of the SARU.
I also seem to recall they (the SARU), told him to keep his cake-hole shut in future.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:07 pm
@sideline:
Too bloody right, if he really wanted to help all those starving fly ridden snot encrusted african orphans he would stop clapping his hands at concerts and start putting his hands in his pockets.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
@sideline:
In Ireland…….Peat sticks.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
@sideline: I’m not sure what you are asking? Have you actually read my posts?@DEE DAH: No need to for that kind of talk. We all have problems. You don’t need to try and offend a whole nation……
December 1st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
@DEE DAH: man you are so right. what about that other crusty old tramp looking bloke – whats his name again… geld-dof, sorry i mean geldof ! why doesnt he drop a million or so of his own into the funds…
@cane: i had to laugh at this but i’m sticking with Atreides version of events
December 1st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Did you hear about the *** Irish Gardener……..he was up to his balls in Peat.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:13 pm
@cane: i’ll grant you that one – good comeback !
December 1st, 2009 at 12:16 pm
@cane: and while we r at it – it seems Peat only sticks more than Jamie ‘cos Heasliped…
December 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
@cane: To be fair, I’m sure SARU gave him a gentle nudge in the apology direction. But he is known to struggle to express himself clearly – my wife is Afrikaans and comes up with some clangers, cos she does direct translations in her head and they often don’t come out the way she intended…so I feel for him sometimes.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
@Bokpoot:
I can only offend literate people on this site, so at best I am only offending the small minority of literate Irishmen who like Bono. It’s about 2 people including Adam Clayton and the Edge. The rest of the Irish are in some pub drinking Guiness and singing Molly Malone discussing the hurling.
It’s only the moneyed British descended land owners who care about rugby in Ireland.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
It never ceases to amaze me that so many bloggers on this site reduce their arguments to blatant racism and issues that are completely unrelated to rugby.
We’re discussing a rugby match and you idiots start slagging the Irish about our weather, our history with the British, Bono, camera angles in Croke Park, etc etc the list goes on. How in the hell the Irish rugby team are responsible for any of the above is beyond me.
You wont find any Irish rugby supporters lowering themselves to slagging the Springboks team about say for example, apartheid or the worst aids epidemic in the world…
December 1st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
@DEE DAH: i get what u mean – the cultured types that change the world with other peoples money?
December 1st, 2009 at 12:21 pm
@DEE DAH: If you are looking for literate people you are probably on the wrong site anyway.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
@ultra vires: yes but –
‘The Ireland management fully support and believe in the integrity of the citing process in place, but believe that any referrals in this process should be made only when they are material and substantial.’
and the Irish press were going on and on about Bok physicality… to the point of boring me.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
“The Six Nations has confirmed to the Irish Rugby Football Union that none of a number of referrals made by South Africa against Ireland players has been upheld…”
Does any body has an idea what the other referrals were all about. I would suggest that the incident where Habana was picked up and release in the air by an Irish player must be one. Irish players diving onto Habana and FdP in our in-goal area are two others I can think of. Surely there were video evidence of this!
December 1st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
@ultra vires: go read my post to you again, (slowly so you don’t hurt your brain) and see if you can detect any irony in what you just said
December 1st, 2009 at 12:24 pm
@sideline and Dee Dah:
Come on Guys………… Bonner and Bobby Geldoff …….who are you going to denigrate next…………..Mother Tersea and Dr David Livingston. John Eales and Tiger Woods……oops
December 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
@ultra vires: and i would suggest Bono etc are irish supporters and the whole world knows how they contributed to the elavation of the worlds most succesful terrorist oprganisation- the ANC, from their bush camp to the Unioun Building in Pretoria.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
@nama1: Shock horror….so surprised I almost fell off my chair
December 1st, 2009 at 12:26 pm
@cane: I will denigrate Mother Theresa.
She was not all that they say she was cracked up to be.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
@nama1: They officialy only asked for the gouging to be referred.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
@cane: actually Cane – they are all wonderful people – how dare you sully their name by bringing them into this, lol.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
@Atreides:
I take your point.
And by the way, I like Peter. Being the Bok Coach must be one of the toughest jobs in Sport, anywhere.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:30 pm
@ultra vires:
yadda yadda yadda
It’s called banter and if any Irishman seriously takes offence to it then obviously there is a bit more pom in them than what grammy and mam told them.
You seem to forget all the accusations of us South Africans being the murderers and rapists of the world by Lions fans trying to create an image of SA thuggery despite the Lions’ atrocious behaviour on tour.
I will say it again Brussouw would not have made the allegations if it had not happened it is not in our culture to whinge and cite players for being physical. We whinge when we have been cheated, like the O’Gara try years ago.
We lost on Saturday cos Ireland were better, thats not whinging.
I think you by taking on the role of Judge, Juror and Executioner are acting beyond your powers, ultra vires if you will.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:31 pm
@Karoolander: and what about Dr King – didnt Bono and pals make money out of him with their Pride in the Name of Love song… wheres the love now? spread some of it around Bono and get your team mates to do the same and stop the eye gouging etc – just because jamie slipped doesnt mean he didnt do it.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
@cane:
It gets easier the more you think about it.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
@DEE DAH: I’m a South African and I have taken offence to most of your comments about the Irish and Africans.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
@Karoolander:
Are you, “He Who’s name must not be spoken”?
December 1st, 2009 at 12:39 pm
@cane:that was funny
December 1st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
@cane: Errrr???? I really do not know.
But i am not Pietman.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
getting back to the alleged eye gouging and general play of the irish – wasnt it the irish lions that invented the lets have a fight with the boks if we cant beat them approach to the game? feel free to correct me on this point if i am wrong… i just feel it shows how the irish team does things.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
The comments above have been pretty amusing for me anyway……No offence taken……
However if someone is honestly suggesting Earls should be cited for attempting to jump on a ball in case FDP dropped it in goal, they should honestly take themselves to the nearest soccer pitch and never speak of rugby again……
Meanwhile Becker jumping with two knees on David Wallace’s neck with his back turned and on the ground or good old JP’s attempted beheading of Tommy Bowe is quietly sweapt under the rug……
At least pretend to show some objectivity…..
December 1st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
“wasnt it the irish lions that invented the lets have a fight with the boks if we cant beat them approach to the game?”
Sorry what….?…
Please don’t tell me this refers to Drico and Big Vic’s little altercation…..
If so……
GET OVER IT……..
December 1st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
@Atreides:
@Atreides: Didnt read your post to me Atreides but I have now. The answer to your question is yes, I was at the game and sitting very close to the pitch.
@DEE DAH: I’m still really at a loss to understand how Bono was brought into this debate – though he would be thrilled – seeing as he believes the world revolves around him. Irish people slag him off about that as much as anyone else.
By the way its not just Bono and co. who send humanitarian aid to your country. We have a number of charitable organisations here who organise trips every year to South Africa to build thousands of houses for people living in shanty towns. Hundreds of people here give up their holidays to go to SA to do this without payment, for no reason other than to help the millions of people living in abject poverty in your fantastic country.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:49 pm
@Just Another Paddy: i’ve been ‘pretending’ a lot today but now i have to go to work.. thanks for the laughs everyone. I apologise to all those I offended from my fingertips to my eyeballs – lol
cheers
December 1st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
@Bokpoot:
Well you are proof that the world would be a better place if not for the apologists and politically correct brigade.
I don’t see how referring to starving, snot encrusted african babies is offending anybody, it is a statement of fact. The only people it could possibly offend are the likes of Bob Mugabe who don’t want anybody to find out.
Healthy discourse has never hurt anybody, on the other hand restricting peoples freedom of expression has caused quite a bit of poo in the past.
If I was a *** single parent muslim with HIV I would be allowed to say anything I liked and the apologist PC brigade would applaud cry and ejaculate at the same time.
Once again Ireland beat us fair and square, somebody stuck their fingers in Brussouws eyes because Saffas don’t make kak like that up, it goes against our grain to admit that somebody has bossed us and we didn’t sort it out ourselves.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:52 pm
@Just Another Paddy:
Please, Bekker retaliated and was dualy dealt with by the ref! JP’S tackle was high and he was lucky to get away with it(hasn’t been his first time either) but Earls dive on FDP was right infront of the ref, and he ignored completely!
December 1st, 2009 at 12:52 pm
@ultra vires: And the Irish doing a better job than the SA Government re: building homes.
I took a look at the homes built by the Irish.
Being part Irish i wasn`t really surprised by the better workmanship.
A big up to them Irish
December 1st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
@sideline#92:
Come back anytime Side-winder.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Filthy Ulster street thug … just because there was no video evidence does not mean that he is innocent.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
@DEE DAH: As much as we might agree on Brussouw and how we mostly get screwed in these kind of incidents, you should really be carefull with your the rest of your comments. No matter your opinion on pc etc, you should realise that it is not up to you or me to decide what is right or wrong but to try and respect others, even the Irish, the way you would like them to respect you. Don’t take it personally , I just called it the way I saw it.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
@ultra vires:
Ok UV I will spell it out for you. This entire blog about did he or didn’t he is so effing asinine that I thought I would bring in some important issues to debate but still keeping an Irish theme to it.
Tell me where these thousands of houses are, you do realise thousands is a number with 3 zero’s after it.
What happened? do you pay 5 punt a month to some “charity” and really believe that you have adopted an african baby, supplied his village with running water, solved cholera, cured TB, eradicated malaria and built 1000’s of homes. All you have really done is build Bono a studio and managed to keep a Boom Town rat alive when he should have been euthanised years ago.
If you really want to help our “fantastic” country stop giving aid it doesn’t help. We generate more than enough income here to support the entire population in luxury. Foreign aid just means the corrupt politicians can claim your work as their own and then pocket the money allocated to the projects in the first place.
At the risk of sounding ungrateful stick foreign aid up it’s own ***.
I am buggering off I came to talk rugby and I feel like I have 20 minutes with Julius Malema
December 1st, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Ha ha, these postings are hillarious.
At the end of the day: this is a SAFFA site, and us SAFFAs tend to be a little ROF now and then.
So sensitive Irish poets, please stay away you won’t find any poetry here.
Only annoyed Bok fans.
Since you Irish can now understand Afrikaans, gaan kak in die mielies.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Bokpoot…..
Simon Shaw did the exact same thing as Bekker in the Lions tour, gota yellow card and a two week suspension I believe…….
Yet still these boards were full of comments complaining about it weeks later…..
The shoe is now on the other foot and surprise surprise the goalposts have been shifted…..