Harrison, Levi In Judiciary Strife After Second-rowers Have A Second Row
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday May 3, 2004
NSW second-rower Justin Harrison will appear before the SANZAR judiciary in Sydney tomorrow following an off-field incident with Highlanders counterpart Filipo Levi at the end of Saturday's dramatic Super 12 match.
Harrison and Levi have been charged under the Australian Rugby Union's code of conduct after the pair was involved in a scuffle near the players' tunnel at Aussie Stadium after full-time.
The incident came after the pair was involved in a lengthy brawl during the match that resulted in Levi being sent off by referee Shaun Veldsman for elbowing Harrison in the face. Harrison was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.
That was not the end of their altercation, however. After Matthew Burke missed what would have been a match-winning penalty on full-time, Levi, who had showered and changed into his team uniform of shirt and slacks, had words with Harrison as he headed towards the tunnel.
Levi, standing near the Highlanders officials and reserves along the sideline, rushed at Harrison, allegedly pushing the Wallabies forward from behind.
Harrison turned and grabbed Levi by his shirt. Levi responded, grabbing Harrison near the top of his jersey. The pair had more words before match officials and nearby security guards pushed the pair away from each other.
That Levi was in his off-field clothes added to the confusion, many believing he was a spectator. Even Harrison did not recognise Levi at first.
Levi was already scheduled to appear before the SANZAR judiciary tomorrow for receiving a red card. He will now have to appear before the panel for a second time on the same day to answer four code-of-conduct charges. They are:
* behaving in an unsporting and/or unruly manner;
* behaving in an ill-disciplined manner;
* conducting himself in a way that brings rugby into disrepute;
* acting in an intimidating or offensive manner towards persons associated with the participating unions.
Harrison will appear on two charges behaving in an ill-disciplined manner and conducting himself in a way that brings, or has the potential to bring, rugby into disrepute.
Breaches of the code of conduct can result in cautions, fines, match bans and even exclusion from rugby associations and grounds.
Harrison said yesterday he was unable to comment on the altercations with Levi because of the judiciary hearing but was prepared to discuss NSW's prospects in the Super 12 finals race.
``Yesterday's game was quite strange because we wanted to play an entertaining style of rugby but it didn't come to be," Harrison said. ``Now we have to avoid all the hype and build-up that comes with NSW-Queensland games. Queensland always lift when they play NSW. They have nothing else to play for this season but pride in their jersey and Australian Test selectors, so they'll be dangerous."
While captain Chris Whitaker and centre Morgan Turinui are expected to overcome shoulder problems, doubts remain over whether winger Milton Thaiday will be available for the match.
Thaiday is expected to face disciplinary charges after failing to inform NSW officials he would be late for the captain's run on Friday because he was ill. After being examined by NSW medical staff, Thaiday withdrew from the Highlanders game.
Queensland return to Brisbane tonight after a 47-23 win over the lowly Cats, who bombed at least three tries, at Bloemfontein.
Waratah wobbles Page 23
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald
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