McRae gets seven-week ban for punching O'Gara
June 24, 2001

New South Wales Waratahs fullback Duncan McRae was suspended on Sunday for seven weeks for repeatedly punching British and Irish Lions back Ronan O'Gara in Saturday's tour rugby match in Sydney.

McRae pleaded guilty but said he was provoked by a swinging arm which
struck his jaw and then a kick or knee to his stomach.

The International Rugby Board disciplinary committee said provocation was no defence and repeatedly striking a player who could not defend himself was regarded as a very serious incident.

The committee said McRae's good record was taken into account when deciding
his sentence.

McRae apologised to O'Gara and his teammates and said he deserved the ban.

O'Gara had eight stitches and severe bruising and swelling under his left
eye after McRae had landed up to a dozen punches to his head while they
wrestled on the ground midway through the second half of the Lions' 41-24 win.


McRae was immediately sent off by referee Scott Young and the incident
sparked further hostilities with Waratahs teammates Cameron Blades and Brendan Cannon and Lions forward Danny Grewcock and Phil Vickery sent to the sin-bin for fighting minutes after.

The Lions take on NSW Country in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday night before
playing the world champion Wallabies in the first of three tests at the Gabba ground in Brisbane next Saturday.

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