Bulls mystified over alleged Wessels ban, await info from URC officials
United Rugby Championship
Bulls forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a reported nine-week suspension following an alleged incident during the URC clash with Connacht. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Bulls are as in the dark as much as anyone regarding the reported suspension of their utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels, but CEO Edgar Rathbone is expecting news from United Rugby Championship (URC) officials Thursday.
Wessels stands accused – and has reportedly been found guilty – of grabbing a Connacht player in the genital area during the Bulls’ 28-27 win in Galway last week. If media reports are correct, Wessels has been banned for a hefty nine weeks and informed of the decision.
This would be a big blow also for the Springboks as he would play no part in the imminent five-week tour of Europe.
Rathbone told Independent Media: “We are awaiting official notification from the URC and expect to hear something on Thursday. The Bulls remain respectful of the judicial process and its provisions, including the right to appeal.”
The last part of Rathbone’s statement is significant — “the right to appeal” — because the Bulls will almost certainly do so, because there is no video evidence of Wessels perpetrating what he is accused of.
The incident happened during the 19th minute of the game, when Connacht flank Josh Murphy punched Wessels during a ruck. Murphy explained to referee Mike Adamson that he was retaliating because he had been grabbed in the genitals.
Adamson referred the incident to TMO Holly Davidson, who viewed the footage extensively before telling the referee that she could see no evidence of any wrongdoing. Wessels was permitted to play on.
The Bulls will surely appeal if the alleged conviction is based solely on the word of Murphy, who was red-carded for punching Wessels.
There is also the possibility that Wessels accidentally made contact with Murphy’s genital area during the fierce ruck, but he has not had a hearing in which he could give his side of the story.
In the meantime, the Bulls and their legal team await correspondence from the URC with interest. The Bulls are in Glasgow preparing for their URC match against the Warriors on Friday night.