Bad karma for Van der Linde appeal
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:05
Springbok prop CJ van der Linde has not been able to appeal against his four-week suspension because South African (SA) Rugby had not received his full verdict in writing, which was due to arrive last Wednesday.
Van der Linde was cleared of a charge of striking Australian scrumhalf Sam Cordingley with his head during the Boks' 15-27 Tri-Nations' defeat to Australia in Durban last Saturday.
However, a South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR) Judicial Committee suspended Van der Linde from all rugby until September 22, after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of dangerously entering a ruck.
Andy Marinos (manager of national teams) confirmed last Tuesday that Springbok management would consider appealing Van der Linde's suspension once they had received the Judicial Committee's findings in writing, which was due to arrive within 24 hours of the verdict.
"It is completely unsatisfactory," said Marinos on Thursday.
"We wanted to look through the reasons of his suspension before lodging an appeal, but have to date not received it. We simply cannot appeal on a bland SANZAR media release," he said.
"We don't know why answers have not been forthcoming," Marinos said, and added that he has requested SA Rugby's Christo Ferreira to follow up on the delay.
New Zealand's Nick Davidson, who chaired the SANZAR judicial hearing on Monday, was responsible for forwarding the full verdict.
"I don't know whether the Aussies have had a reply," he said, before the Wallaby team was announced on Thursday.
The Wallabies by contrast were successful in their appeal against flank Rocky Elsom's one-week suspension - for pulling down Springbok lock Victor Matfield at a line-out during the same Test.
A three-man Appeals Committee decided to set aside Elsom's suspension - Chairman Bruce Squire of New Zealand stating he would publish the committee's findings at a later date.
Elsom was then duly selected for Wallaby coach Robbie Deans' starting XV to face the Springboks in their return Tri-Nations Test in Johannesburg on Saturday.
It seems the notorious inconsistencies of SANZAR rulings prevail, with South Africa again on the receiving end.
Whether or not Van der Linde's appeal would have been successful, he was consequently omitted from the Springbok squad (announced on Thursday) to face the Wallabies this weekend, and has in all likelihood played his last Test for South Africa.
Van der Linde is scheduled to fly out to Ireland after Saturday's Test, where he will join the ranks of his new provincial union, Leinster. The extent of his suspension will unfortunately have a bearing on his availability for Leinster's opening Magners League clashes.
"We wanted to appeal and possibly have his sentence reduced for CJ's future and his disciplinary record," added Marinos.
