Thursday, October 08, 2009
John Hayes suspended for six weeks for stamp on Cian Healy

Munster prop John Hayes has been suspended for six weeks following his stamp to the face of Cian Healy during their meeting with Leinster in the Magners League match on Saturday.
During an ill-tempered few minutes of the match, Hayes looked to have deliberately stamped down in the direction of Healy, resulting in a cut to the eye of the Leinster prop, and an immediate red card for the perpetrator.
A disciplinary hearing took place in Belfast, with an Irish Rugby Football Union panel confirming that after viewing video evidence and hearing all available evidence, the offence constituted a high end entry level in terms of sanctions.
The panel imposed the six week suspension after taking into account all mitigating factors, resulting in Hayes being suspended from the date of the offence, up until November the 14th - the day before Ireland play against Australia, and seven days before they play South Africa.
He will however miss Munsters Heineken Cup opening match against Northampton, the meeting with Treviso, and Magners League matches against Edinburgh and Ulster.
Munster team manager Shaun Payne said in a statement: "John regrets the incident happened at all. He has a long and unblemished professional rugby career spanning twelve seasons and would not be regarded by anybody including opponents as being a dirty player.
"He is very disappointed with the sanction, given that the committee accepted the action wasn't intentional yet decided the entry point for the offence to be at the higher range, the nine weeks reduced to six in mitigation."
Time: 03:18
Posted at 9:16 pm | 61 comments
Posted in Big Hits & Dirty Play
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Viewing 61 comments
gavin heddle October 08, 2009 8:45 pm

Oli October 08, 2009 8:48 pm

Jeffrey October 08, 2009 9:01 pm

mise October 08, 2009 9:08 pm

Its v sad to see him do something like this.
Shows how under the thumb Munster were feeling at the time.
Of course, these are not the highlights of the match: this is one low light moment in what was an incredible performance by Leinster: their new young guns - like the guy under Hayse's boot(Cian Healey) and McGloughlin will really come through this year.
Bizarrely, Kearney again is on the bench. Its like he's been punished for the effin Lions tour! He has to rest after that, and Nascewa played well in the meantime. Now, he can
't get into the team. Again. Wrong wrong wrong. (He couldn't get into the lions team either but look what he did when he came on - what does this guy have to do!!!?!)
But back to the highlights. These are not the highlights. 3 excellent tries are. RD your priorities are skewere - and I rarely ctiricise anything u guys decide to emphasise.
As an aside, and following on from the ridiculous conversation comparing SA now and England 03 on the Wlikinson posting previously, any Saffers like to comment on how De Villers fronted up to O Driscoll? Love that flapping, flaying arms 'tackle' for the try.... (Was he actually shivering from the 'cold' when he came onto the pitch, or just nervous?)
Anonymous October 08, 2009 9:14 pm

Der Tierarzt October 08, 2009 9:17 pm

FrankyH October 08, 2009 9:21 pm

Regarding this - 6 weeks seems a tad lenient imo. Funny coincidence that he's back before the test against Australia too. :P
Kearney for tests October 08, 2009 9:31 pm

Anyway I must agree with Mise. Kearney was outstanding for the Lions, he proved himself to be the world's best fullback, and now this bloody New Zealander is taking his position? Michael Cheika needs to get his head checked.
One more thing, this is just a once-off from Hayes. He obviously just saw red and lashed out, so I don't think his 15 years or so of fair play and great sportsmanship should be just forgotten about.
FrankyH October 08, 2009 9:45 pm

There's no doubt other players would have gotten larger sentences, you'd think so anyway.
JJM October 08, 2009 9:54 pm

Healey was pulling down the maul no doubt, but you can't stamp on someones head.
Having said this, the ref wasnt calling it so I can understand how fraustration levels can build up, especially when you're 20-nil down with a crowd making sure you know it.
Shame to see a player like John Hayes snap like this.
mise October 08, 2009 10:04 pm

The site veers (or maybe veered?) towards the collisions, hits and dirty play, etc so fair enough on one level, but still...
Incredible rugby, ferocity in the breakdown and 3 great tries would be more worth seeing - but u could of course include the stamp. (And yes I know RD doesn't make the vids etc etc and I should be grateful etc etc)
(SOme claim that only tries and collisions work well in rugby vids: Me I love to see turnovers, breakdowns etc as much)
But re the red card: There were a few incidents in this actual incident that might have merited a yellow card, but I suppose that was the big one. Really thou, so out of character. 6 weeks prob fair enough, considering he started in the mid 1990s, and must have come up against some animals. And yet, 2 yellow cards _in total_ in that time.
(Btw O Connell was so animated in that clip - the Lions could have done with a bit of that)
Dave October 08, 2009 10:17 pm

Anyone know what Paul O'connell was shouting about? He seemed really p*ssed off about something but it didnt make sense to me cause I couldnt see anything (besides the collapsing of the maul).
Almost sounded like he shouted about one of his players getting kicked in the face too.. Anyone know? thanks
The Inside Shoulder October 08, 2009 10:19 pm

It was after the original shoeing and you could see it in way he moved his leg that he meant for it to hurt and aimed for his head.
For me it was a very quick sharp movement where he actually had to stretch to reach him with his toe.
Should've got longer. Way longer.
westman October 08, 2009 10:44 pm

Anonymous October 08, 2009 11:21 pm

Allah.... BOOM October 09, 2009 1:45 am

5-6 month ban would be justice
Anonymous October 09, 2009 3:11 am

istya October 09, 2009 3:15 am

It was a quick sharp movement that was preceded by several quick sharp movements by both feet...in other words, he was trying to touch the ground as far forward as he could, and with that many boots around, Healey was bound to get stamped on. It was very clearly unintentional.
Campo October 09, 2009 4:16 am

I know people are going to want to crucify Hayes, just like Lions fans did to Burger.
I just can't see Hayes knowingly going for someone's face with his boots...that's way out of character. But, it's also out of line and intentional or not, the result was a man's face was stepped on. The ban is...well, not much you can contest about it.
Campo October 09, 2009 4:23 am

This coming from a Munster fan. He does nothing but complain anytime his team is losing and try to coax the ref into awarding Munster penalties.
"He has to go...3...3 blue"
Shut up, you horse's ass. You're not the captain, even though you fancy yourself to be.
---
One last thought on the stamping...you could expect foul play like that from O'Connell, Hines, or even another stocky bald man on the pitch - a Mr. Bernard Jackman. But certainly not Hayes...
Dan October 09, 2009 5:03 am

ArranR October 09, 2009 6:15 am

I would never expected to see this from him...
i think it should of been more like 6 month ban, that could of done some proper serious damage to his face, his face could of been disorted... HORRIBLE, SICKINING, DISGUSTING and most of all DISAPOINTED
Anonymous October 09, 2009 7:14 am

onomatopoeia October 09, 2009 7:30 am

Jazzy Thing October 09, 2009 7:58 am

I for one, hope it wont make the Olympics, we don't need that crap representing proper rugby.
jay October 09, 2009 8:08 am

Now how can 7's be a bad thing at the Olympics ? Apart from the fact that it might not be the biggest nation of 15 winning, I really don't see how it could be a negative ?
unga bunga October 09, 2009 8:14 am

Very sad to see John Hayes do something like that.
Clearly stamped over Healys body & went back for a final stamp directly to his face.
True, hes one of the fairest players to ever play the game but thats irrelevant when dealing with such an incident. The act is what is on trial not the character.
Its evident his immpeccable record was taken into account when only handing down a 6 week ban, which was a mistake by the authorities.
What makes it even worse is hearing guys like Donnacha O'Callaghan going to the media and giving their opinion - saying it was a disgrace that a man like Hayes was banned at all.
A shade similar to Peter DeVillers sentiment about Schalk Berger perhaps?
No Leinster player opened their mouth about the incident and thats the way it should be.
The old guard Munster players were clearly & utterly frustrated that there age old way of winning games does not work anymore.
They've been so used to steamrolling teams over the last few years & now its been done to them by Leinster, a team both they & their fans percieve as weak-willed.
That was too much for guys like Leamy & even Hayes to take.
Leamy should have been binned for grabbing the face of Stan Wright firstly, then secondly, hairpulling and face grabbing (very close to a gouge) of Hines.
Leamy is another player who must find another outlet for his frustration other than this.
He was totally overshadowed on he day both technically & physically by a phemonenal Leinster backrow trio, and his international career appears to be over.
Good to see Hayes wont miss the internationals, but really he was lucky the ban was not for longer.
Anonymous October 09, 2009 8:19 am

slippery pete October 09, 2009 8:30 am

Burger is by no means an Alan Quinlan, but he has been banned before for a few incidents. Hayes has been playing professionally for 12 years and has yet to have any major incident involving dirty play. I think that the citing commission did right by considering this INSOFAR as whether or not it would have been intentional. The replays certainly did no justice in determining his intentions, those only showed the gruesome consequence of what happened.
I mean, how many times in those 12 years do you think he's been in that exact situation where a player is trying to pull down a maul from underneath him...and how many times has he reacted that way? None. Which makes it pretty safe to assume it was unintentional.
Haha, I'll also say that while it might come off as ridiculous for DOC to whine about the ban, at least he did so without mindfucking the reporters with analogies of ballet and mumblings.
Anonymous October 09, 2009 8:38 am

John Hayes worst pro October 09, 2009 8:52 am

big dutchman October 09, 2009 8:58 am

done!!!!!!!!!!
and now one of his teammates is defending him..whata joke
sebastian October 09, 2009 8:59 am

u cant stamp on a head, its just wrong wrong wrong
Welshy October 09, 2009 9:24 am

Anonymous October 09, 2009 9:51 am

Anonymous October 09, 2009 10:24 am

Whether or not Hayes meant to stamp on his head or not is very hard to say definitively. However, he definitely intended to stamp on Healy (and he wasn't the only one). While Healy was trying to pull down the maul and therefore deserves a bit of a shoeing in my view (enough of this sanctimonious rubbish from people who haven't played and backs), Hayes was extremely reckless (probably due to frustration)and connected with Healy's face (potentially very serious consequences) and therefore deserves to be punished.
Therefore I think the red card and suspension are about fair taking into account all the factors mentioned i.e. nature of offence, previous clean record, and general standard of suspensions in rugby.
Finally it may be no bad thing for Hayes to get a rest, particularly from an Ireland point of view. He's pushing on and it's not exactly raining tight heads here.
Good luck to all the Irish teams this weekend.
ginger October 09, 2009 10:32 am

Ruair October 09, 2009 10:35 am

Anonymous October 09, 2009 11:51 am

Declan Kiddenme October 09, 2009 12:42 pm

No.7 October 09, 2009 2:48 pm

regarding the video, it looked intentional and im sad to say that he should have gone for more than 6 weeks....if it was indeed 'unintentional' then shouldnt he be cleared? and get let off with nothing? i mean if thats not intentional then all he was doing was placing one foot forward and walking with the maul....so its hardly careless play.....
Its either intentional and a big ban, or unintentional and no ban.....there is nothing inbetween!!!!
and i think john hayes is a fantastic player and its a shame for me to say that he deserved a big ban!!!!
if anyone can get back to me on the ELV's pulling down maul thing that would be great...
MCDB October 09, 2009 3:34 pm

Anonymous October 09, 2009 4:00 pm

BlindFlanker October 09, 2009 4:22 pm

Third Centre October 09, 2009 5:01 pm

the reason it's on six weeks is that the IRFU deal with matter and need Hayes for the Autumn internationals. I think it was supposed to be 9 but he got 3 off for a good record.
It's nasty and the kindest thing you can say is that he was reckless as opposed to intentionally stamping on healy's head. You can see that he looks down at healy a few seconds before stamping.
A terrble shame as he's been a gentleman throughout his career.
Bill October 09, 2009 6:55 pm

wj October 09, 2009 7:00 pm

Anonymous October 09, 2009 8:16 pm

Dalma October 09, 2009 9:58 pm

Kearney for tests October 10, 2009 12:26 am

Declan Kiddenme October 10, 2009 12:31 am

Alan Quinlan
Ad dont take my word for it being unintentional..the disciplenary board said and i quote the "the disciplinary panel accepted that Hayes' stamp was not deliberate"
RM October 10, 2009 3:13 pm

Some of you Leinster supporters would want to take a step back for a sec. Hayes has been a model pro for Ireland and wanted to retire a few years ago but stayed on after the IRFU begged him to sign a new contract. Show him some respect.
He got what he deserved so leave it now. You don't hear Munster supporters moan about Sextons cowardly kick at Mafi's face last season do you?
Andy Boy October 10, 2009 7:30 pm

Anonymous October 10, 2009 8:03 pm

John October 11, 2009 8:28 am

What tosh
Tron October 11, 2009 1:13 pm

1. Healy was illegally trying to pull down the maul,
2. A player clearly trying to collapse a mall in that position deserves a shoeing, &
3. that hayes did not look down and deliberately stamp on Healys head.
so wheres the problem here!
If Healy had not emerged from the bottom of the maul with blood steaming from his head then perhaps there would not even have been a sending off. This to me is similar to the Bakkies Botha case in the Lions Test game where he was perhaps a bit wreckless by charging in to clear Adam Jones out of the way.
The punishment was driven only by the injury to the player. I this case Botha was wreckless probably even more so than hayes, but if neither of the alleged 'victims' had not gotten hurt then there probaby would have been no suspensions dished out.
But people this is rugby - shoeings and clearing players is all part of the game!
It also seems similar as the unions in question also managed to suit their own international schedule in that Hayes will be back right on time for the Autumn international series and Bakkies was convieniently back for the Tri Nations.
It stinks of trying to satisfy the masses by trying to be seen to do justice, rather than actually doing justice!
And Dalma your comment that the red jersey of munster protects players from punishment is a joke.
Quinlan for unintentional contact with the eye area of miley cullen got 12 weeks - schalk berger gouges Luke Fitzgearld gets 8 weeks.
Hayes unintentional stamp on
Healy, 6 Weeks - Malcolm O'Kelly v Wasps for a stamp and Sexton for an intentional to head of Mafi both 2 weeks.
Think before you write idiot!
Huh!! the 3rd October 11, 2009 3:34 pm

Now look at it as it happened. Munster were mauling (correctly) and both Leinster's props pulled it down, illegally under the discarded ELV. Then, before the touch judge intervened Hines threw a massive right hook at Leamy. Leamy was wise to it and it barely connected RIGHT INFRONT OF THE REF. Leamy was pulling Hines hair (girls), and possibly deserved it, but that don't make it right.
Hayes red, Wright and Hines yellow. Only 1 decision was made.
I can understand O'Connell's frustration before he knew about the stamping, but the Magners League is being held back from being the best NH competition (outside of HCup) because of terrible officiating.
The Top14 while of great skill and history is too bloated and teams now only look for drop goals. Don't get me started on the deathly boredom that is the Premiership. The Lions selection may have come down to personal choice (McGeechan's) but the ML out numbered the GP 3 to 1. Something has to be done about the officals, otherwise all teams involved are only going to use it as a proving ground for youngsters and concentrate completely on the HCup.
Shaft October 11, 2009 7:34 pm

That, unfortunately, is where you're wrong. This isn't rugby of ten years ago.. nowadays, you're not actually allowed to put your boot on a player to clear him out anymore. We all know this, or should.
As much as we'd love proper rucking to come back into the game, it's not a part of it anymore, therefore any time a players boot touches another player while he's on the floor, that's pretty much rucking, which is pretty much a penalty.
Sad, but true. Therefore, Hayes deserves everything he's got, if not more. Healy, well, he only deserved to be penalised for bringing down the maul. A good shooeing is as illegal nowadays as spear tackles are.















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