Super Rugby
Moore escapes punishment for punch
ESPN Staff
April 12, 2014
The Brumbies' Stephen Moore and the Reds' Eddie Quirk get to know each other, Reds v Brumbies, Super Rugby, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, April 11, 2014
Stephen Moore and Ed Quirk came to blows during the match © Getty Images
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Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore has escaped sanction for his upper-cut that had the Queensland Reds fuming after their latest Super Rugby defeat.

SANZAR's citing commissioner elected against taking action against Moore who hit Reds flanker Ed Quirk in a pivotal flashpoint in the 23-20 result on Friday night.

The Wallabies rake and referee Steve Walsh were both jeered off the field by an incensed 30,000-strong Brisbane crowd who believed Moore should have been sent off in the 49th minute. Walsh ruled that Quirk first held Moore at the ruck, prompting him to lash out, and that illegality denied what was "a clear try" to Will Genia.

Angry Queensland coach Richard Graham believed Walsh got it wrong, and felt the matter deserved a post-match action but opted against a team citing after the commissioner's own match review. While Melbourne Rebels flanker Scott Fuglistaller was sin-binned this season for punching the arm of a Cheetahs rival holding him at a scrum, Moore was lucky to remain on the field for a far heavier blow.

But Quirk, more upset he cost his team a try, was happy to see Moore escape post-match punishment.

"There was nothing really in it," he said. "We had a chat afterwards, shook hands and had a laugh. In footy, I've never been one to hold grudges. I think you should leave those things on the field. I just feel bad because I thought Willy scored."

Brumbies director of coaching Laurie Fisher was adamant justice was done as holding defenders should be outlawed. "The sooner they get rid of that the better,"Fisher said. "The bottom line is you cannot hold a player."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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