Paul O’Connell – No Case To Answer

The citing allegation against Ireland’s Paul O’Connell, following Ireland’s runaway win over Namibia in Rugby World Cup 2003 in Sydney on Sunday, has been dismissed.

‘No case to answer’ was the verdict by the Citing Commissioner, Doug Hunter from Scotland in response to a referral by the Namibian coach, Dave Waterston following his team’s 10-try 64-7 trouncing by Ireland.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan greeted the verdict by saying: We are obviously delighted to hear the news that there is no case to answer. But to be perfectly honest, I never felt there was a case.

The outcome 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, who celebrated his 24th birthday today (Monday) 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 has now been further endorsed by the Citing Commissioner, who concurred that no wilful intent occurred.

O’Sullivan summed up the general reaction to the incident 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.

Meanwhile, when the Irish trained this morning at the Central Coast Grammer School, a calf injury meant lock Gary Longwell took only a limited part while number 8 Anthony Foley took no part whatsoever, still hampered by a knee injury picked up in the opening game against Romania.

Tomorrow, Ireland depart Terrigal, where they have been based for the past three weeks, and head to Adelaide where the team to play Argentina in the crunch Pool A tie on Sunday next, will be selected on Wednesday.