Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien was “embarrassed” by his World Cup punch on Pascal Pape, but an official report released Wednesday said his French rival was also guilty of “gamesmanship” in the incident.
A report of the disciplinary hearing was hurriedly released by World Rugby one day after O’Brien was banned for Ireland’s quarter-final against Argentina.
“Looking back now, its something that I wish didn’t happen and I’m embarrassed,” O’Brien was quoted as saying by judicial officer, Terry Willis, in his report.
“It hasn’t been easy the last couple of days. It’s something I wish I could take back now,” added O’Brien.
The loose forward punched Pape 23 seconds into Ireland’s 24-9 win over France in their final Pool D game in Cardiff on Sunday.
Victory in a ‘needle’ match ensured Ireland finished top of the group and avoided a last-eight clash with defending champions New Zealand.
“I was just trying to get rid of the player off my side and get to where I wanted to be in the defensive line,” O’Brien told the hearing as he explained the reason behind his punch.
Pape needed two minutes of treatment and, after viewing several video images of the incident, Willis rejected claims by O’Brien’s lawyer that the Ireland loose forward had been dragged two metres by the France lock.
“I find that (Pape) was in a degree of gamesmanship having his hand temporarily on the back of the player,” Willis said in his written report.
The official said he agreed with O’Brien’s lawyer that Pape “appears to hold onto players temporarily as a form of gamesmanship.”
“I cannot accept that there was a significant degree of pulling or dragging of the player by (Pape),” he added, however.
“The player’s striking was dangerous. It resulted in (Pape) sustaining an injury with ongoing disabilities,” the official said.
O’Brien could have been banned for two weeks, which would have ruled out any possible semi-final appearance. But the punishment was kept to one week because of his “exemplary record,” the report said.