ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Further discussion and angles on Owen Franks' finger in eye of Wallaby

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday Sep 1, 2016

Here are a few more viewpoints, and another angle, on the Owen Franks eye-gouging incident this past weekend. In the above video we get to see things from a New Zealand perspective, then below is a discussion from the Fox Sports crew in Australia.

Kane Douglas, the Wallaby who was on the receiving end of it, has since told the Courier Mail in Australia that he didn’t feel it amounted to an eye-gouge.

“I didn’t think of it like that. It was an All Black trying to stop me driving through the maul, arms everywhere and everything happening in a few seconds. I’ve got no issue at all but obviously you want to be protecting the eyes of players.

“I probably didn’t realise how bad it looked until after the game (when watching replays). My eyes were fine and it all happened so quickly, I was on to the next thing in the game,” Douglas said.

Yes, thankfully his eye was not injured but that does not mean that Franks didn’t infringe on the very clear laws set in place by World Rugby. Countless players have already been banned, usually for around 8-12 weeks, for incidents that appear far less clear cut.

A precedent was set a while back, and the likes of Chris Ashton (10 week ban) and even Richie Rees (12 week ban) have had to sit out due to their fingers being way to close to the ‘eye or eye area’ of another player. With those same standards seeminly in place, it’s baffling that Franks was not in trouble for this one. Consistency is all anyone wants, and of course to protect the eyes of players.

So conspiracy theories aside, it seems that the powers that be really dropped the ball on this one.

And although they have overuled an independant citing decision before, World Rugby are not able to get involved in a SANZAAR case, as per the rules of competition.

GET OVER IT, BRIAN

Also, below is another piece from The Breakdown, in which the guys tell Brian O’Driscoll – who was very outspoken on the incident – to get over it, making slight reference to his issues with New Zealand following the 2005 spear he received on the British & Irish Lions tour.

Let us know your thoughts!

credit: skysportnz/thetightfive/rugby.com.au

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All