'Disgusting and not a part of our game': Captain of Australia's women's rugby team is caught BITING an opponent during a ruck

  • Queensland hooker and captain Liz Patu could be suspended if found guilty 
  • She was seen biting RugbyWA second-rower Rebecca Clough in Sunday match
  • Patu will appear before a Rugby Australia hearing to determine the outcome
  • She could be banned for 12 weeks at lower end up to 24 weeks at higher end   

By Mary Mrad For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 18:35 EST, 3 March 2019 | Updated: 18:35 EST, 3 March 2019

The captain of Australia's women's rugby team could face a lengthy ban after being caught biting an opponent during a ruck. 

Queensland hooker and captain Liz Patu was seen grabbing RugbyWA second row Rebecca Clough's wrist at the base of a ruck and biting her in the match on Sunday. 

Commentator and former Wallabies back Drew Mitchell said: 'That's pretty damning from that vision we've just seen.'

Liz Patu could be banned for 12 to 24 weeks if found guilty before a Rugby Australia hearing on Monday

Liz Patu could be banned for 12 to 24 weeks if found guilty before a Rugby Australia hearing on Monday

'I think we will hear more and we should. That is disgusting and it's not a part of our game, especially from an Australian representative and a captain at that,' he commented.

Patu, who become captain of the Wallaroos in 2018, could be banned for up to 24 weeks if she found guilty at a Rugby Australia hearing on Monday. 

The incident was reported to match referee Lara West by Clough in the 71st minute of the game as she said: 'Ref, I'm just saying, I've been bitten.' 

The Queensland hooker and captain was seen biting RugbyWA second-rower Rebecca Clough's wrist at the base of a ruck in a match on Sunday

The Queensland hooker and captain was seen biting RugbyWA second-rower Rebecca Clough's wrist at the base of a ruck in a match on Sunday

However West didn't witness the incident and was not allowed to use replays to view the footage as not all venues have screens.

She called on Reds Captain Kiri Lingman who said: 'She showed me her arm with bite marks. I didn’t see it, so I can’t call it. If I do see it, that person is gone.'

Queensland currently sit top of the competition after two wins and two bonus points. They won the match on Sunday 28-3. 

Commentator Drew Mitchell said: 'That is disgusting and it's not a part of our game, especially from an Australian representative and a captain at that'

Commentator Drew Mitchell said: 'That is disgusting and it's not a part of our game, especially from an Australian representative and a captain at that'

World Rugby laws: Dangerous play  

 Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others.

A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm (including stiff-arm tackles), shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

A player must not tackle an opponent who is not in possession of the ball.

Except in a scrum, ruck or maul, a player who is not in possession of the ball must not hold, push, charge or obstruct an opponent not in possession of the ball.

A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.

A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.

A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

Dangerous play in a scrum.

The front row of a scrum must not form at a distance from its opponents and rush against them.

A front-row player must not pull an opponent.

A front-row player must not intentionally lift an opponent off their feet or force the opponent upwards out of the scrum.

A front-row player must not intentionally collapse a scrum.

Dangerous play in a ruck or maul.

A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.

A player must not intentionally collapse a ruck or a maul.

A player must not retaliate.

Teams must not use the ‘cavalry charge’ or ‘flying wedge’.

A player must not attempt to kick the ball from the hands of the ball-carrier.

A ball-carrier is permitted to hand off an opponent provided excessive force is not used. 

A player must not intentionally charge or obstruct an opponent who has just kicked the ball.

Source World Rugby Laws 

Advertisement

Captain of Australia’s women’s rugby team is caught BITING an opponent during a scrum 

Comments 0

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.