Australian skipper left in the dark after IRB re-opened his stamping case
Wallabies captain James Horwill will not find out until Tuesday morning if he is eligible to lead his side in the third and deciding Test match against the British and Irish Lions.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) appealed Horwill’s dismissed rucking charge, which stemmed from an incident in the first Test match against the Lions in Brisbane.
Horwill was originally exonerated by New Zealand judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC last Sunday night after being cited for stamping on rival lock Alun Wyn Jones in the 23-21 first Test loss.
Canadian arbitrator Graeme Mew stopped to confider his findings at 10.10pm (AEST) with indications coming the final result will not be handed down for several hours.
The ARU has spared no expense is trying to get their captain off for a second time for the same charge, with a crack legal team being used for Horwill’s defence.
If the Australian skipper is ruled out of the clash this weekend in Sydney it will mean both the Wallabies and the Lions will go into the biggest Test match of the year without their regular on-field leaders.
Lions’ captain Sam Warburton will be watching on from the stands after scans showed a “significant tear” to his hamstring.
COMMENTS