I Did Not See Any Malice – O’Sullivan

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan today issued a statement which suggested that lock Paul O’Connell has no case to answer in relation to the possible citing incident from the game in the Aussie Stadium on Sunday.

Ireland Press Officer, John Redmond issued the following statement,

The Irish rugby team has not had any follow up this morning (Mon) concerning the reported referral of a citing against second row Paul O’Connell for an alleged incident in the second half of yesterday’s World Cup triumph over Namibia.

No contact had been made with the team management or player at the conclusion of a post match work out to mark the squad’s final training at the Central Coast Grammar School, which was being interpreted as a matter of no case to answer.

That would be in accordance with general interpretation of a maul situation in which a Namibia player fell awkwardly as Ireland swept through in a well executed manoeuvre.

O’Connell was penalised on the recommendation of a touch judge and the fact that Australian referee, Andrew Cole saw fit to leave the punishment at that, suggested that the Citing Commissioner was content that no wilful intent occurred, in spite of a referral by the Namibian side.

Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan summed up the general reaction when he said:
Paul tried to get over the player. I did not see any malice in it and to be honest if there was, the touch-judge and referee would have been harsher.