Jamie Heaslip’s moment of madness against the All Blacks yesterday resulted in the Irish number eight being given a five-week ban at a disciplinary hearing in New Plymouth today. Heaslip has been banned until July 17th for striking with the knee.
He was sent off 15 minutes into yesterday’s 66-28 loss to New Zealand for twice kneeing All Blacks captain Richie McCaw at a ruck.
Heaslip faced an International Rugby Board judiciary today where he learned his fate from IRB judicial officer Michael Cashman.
His five-week ban is on the mid-range of the scale. Although banned for five weeks, the reality is the Leinster man will miss just two games — Friday’s match against the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua and the following weekend’s test against Australia.
Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton said Heaslip, who admitted the offence but denied making contact with McCaw’s head, got a fair hearing. Cashman determined the first strike was to the head.
“To have him red-carded so early in the game was crucial, although not an excuse. We’re disappointed about that,” said McNaughton. “But we went to the hearing and Jamie put his hand up in terms of the offence and we were happy with the way the judicial inquiry went.”
He added: “(Jamie) is very disappointed his tour is over. He’s disappointed about the game and he’s disappointed that he can’t participate in the next two games, especially the game against Australia.
“He feels he’s let the guys down as well in relation to the game. In fact, he apologised to the rest of the squad and the team immediately after the game.”
McNaughton also insisted the 26-year-old’s actions were totally out of character.
“He’s never been cited or red-carded in his professional or amateur career, so it is completely out of character,” he added. “The judicial officer came in with a medium-level ruling and they also took into account his being contrite and owning up to it and his attitude at the tribunal itself.”
With Heaslip unavailable, and John Muldoon ruled out of the rest of the tour having suffered a broken arm on Saturday, Ireland coach Declan Kidney has called under-20 captain Rhys Ruddock into the touring party.
Muldoon will have surgery on his broken arm in Auckland in the next 24 hours before returning home with Heaslip.
“We are obviously disappointed to be losing John following his injury, I felt any replacement should be one that would benefit from the experience,” Kidney said today
“There were other options in terms of back row replacements, but rather than bring in somebody who we were already aware of and what they could bring (to the squad), we felt Rhys would be a different option.
“He has performed very well for the U20’s and with Leinster when he has had the chance to play this season, so this will be a good chance for him to gain experience and we have every confidence in him”.
Shane Horgan, meanwhile, has recovered from a stomach complaint and has arrived in Rotorua. He joins Jerry Flannery who flew out to meet up with the squad in New Plymouth following his calf strain suffered in the Barbarians game.