Former Wallaby slammed for comments on ‘poor CJ Stander’ lift

Jack O'Toole

Former Wallabies number eight Stephen Hoiles has been criticised for his comments on Israel Folau’s one-game suspension following a mid-air collision with Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony in Australia’s 20-16 loss to Ireland last weekend.

The Wallabies and Waratahs full-back was cited over the incident in the ninth minute, and was later yellow carded for a similar tackle in the air on O’Mahony later in the half, with citing commissioner Michael O’Leary describing Folau’s actions as ‘strikingly similar’ to the contest for which he was yellow-carded.

This clip shows three Folau vs POM aerial competitions from Saturday’s #AUSvIRE match.

#1: nothing in game or after
#2: post match Citing Commissioner’s Warning
#3: yellow card

This will be an interesting hearing. pic.twitter.com/5pmQ5mSuW9

— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) June 24, 2018

Under World Rugby’s Regulation 17.25.3 (b), the combination of the yellow card and post-match citation means that the incident must be treated as a red card and therefore go to a disciplinary hearing where Folau received a one-game ban for the challenge.

“A World Rugby judicial panel has handed Wallabies fullback Israel Folau a one-match suspension at a hearing in Sydney tonight,” Rugby Australia said.

“Folau will appeal the decision, however if the suspension is upheld on appeal the 29-year-old will miss Friday night’s top-of-the-table Australian Conference clash with the Melbourne Rebels.”

Hoiles wrote on his Twitter account that World Rugby have suspended a player for winning the ball and questioned what lengths the sport’s governing body would go to next to protect players from injury.

Hey @WorldRugby You’ve just suspended a player who won the ball back by out jumping another player who was poorly lifted by his teammate. Well done. Should we ban scrums 2 because someone could get injured? Let’s get rid of lineouts while we’re at it because they’re also a risk.

— steve hoiles (@stevehoiles) June 27, 2018

Hoiles was widely criticised for his remarks which follow on from former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell’s recent criticism of referee Pascal Gaüzère for yellow carding Folau.

And this is the sort of limited comment that makes you appreciate when players are no longer involved in the game. https://t.co/K3uufb6Dzt

— Iseult Cody (@iseultcody) June 27, 2018

Another former player to add to the over macho idiot brigade https://t.co/JnOWNW4UVy

— @bhhooker.bsky.social (@BHHooker) June 27, 2018

*sigh* https://t.co/r2QTrBtyjY

— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) June 27, 2018

Wrong mate, the falou challenge in the air wasnt the issue, the issue was his left hand pushing the player. You are making a point that didnt actually happen

— Keego (@keegolaughs_irl) June 27, 2018

Won the ball back with his right hand but hooked the left arm under OMahony's armpit causing him to flip over. Yes the lift makes him vulnerable but the foul play in the air still needs to be punished.

— Paul Murray (@MintyMagic23) June 27, 2018

Stander admitted that he probably should have done a better job at protecting his Munster and Ireland teammate but that Folau’s athletic ability made retrieving restarts quite challenging.

“It’s a tough one, because I’m the one lifting him and I need to look after him,” Stander told reporters (via The Irish Examiner).

“It’s just that Folau is unbelievable in the air, it’s one of those ones where you need to go back and look at it and he got a yellow card.

“It’s tough, Pete got injured because of it. It’s something we worked on during the week, we knew it was going to come, I could have probably protected him a bit better.”