After a nearly eight hour citing hearing on Tuesday, Sean O'Brien got off with just a one week ban for striking Pascal Pape during Ireland and France's Pool D decider on Sunday.
O'Brien was initially given a two week suspension but it was reduced to one when a number of factors were taken into consideration (read more about that here).
The reaction from Ireland has mostly been 'phew, got away with one there.. now onto Argentina'.
Outside of Ireland though, the response to the news - especially from those within the media - has been one of incredulity that O'Brien will miss just one match.
Many have noted the disparity between the treatment of players from tier 1 nations compared to tier 2 nations. Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi was initially given a five week suspension - appealed down to two - for striking Japan's Harumichi Tatekawa with his knee.
Great plan by Sean O Brien and his legal team to play for Tier 1 nation. Shocking number of idiots claiming Pape, clearly in pain, took dive
— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) October 13, 2015
Worst day of RWC 2015; no long release needed from @worldrugby defending the indefensible, just appeals by you against today's travesties
— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) October 13, 2015
World Rugby disciplinary process is as believable as Santa Claus. It is letting the game down. Proper rugby fans are bloody angry.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) October 13, 2015
O'Brien has got away with one, there. Suggest that Ireland do not appeal.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) October 13, 2015
If Sean O'Brien had ever thought about buying a EuroLottery ticket, now's the time. His brief will be getting the Freedom of Tullow #lenient
— Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) October 13, 2015
So by that reckoning, if Gray and Ford have got O'Brien's legal team they'll escape a ban and be given 5 thousand pounds in prize money.
— Andrew Cotter (@MrAndrewCotter) October 13, 2015
Memo to IRFU and Joe Schmidt: Don't even think of an appeal! Might not get away with a week second time round #RWC2015 #Ireland
— Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) October 13, 2015
Chilling that Hooper, Pocock and SOB have garnered 3 weeks less collectively than Tuilagi originally got. Something fundamentally wrong here
— Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) October 13, 2015
World Rugby need to provide more funds for Tier 2 nations so they can invest in smart suits & ties - and lawyers - to help avoid long bans.
— Chris Foy (@FoyChris) October 13, 2015
Sean O'Brien gets one game for a blatant punch and Alesana Tuilagi gets two for a 'knee' which shouldn't have even been a penalty.
— mark smith (@markismith50) October 13, 2015
Not sure what to make of these citings.
They don't make sense.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) October 13, 2015
Deliberate punch. 1 week. Deliberate knee. 0 weeks. Deliberate running. 5 weeks. @WorldRugby you absolute fucking joke.
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) October 13, 2015
Anyone got the O'Brien decision in print? Can't wait to hear the reason for another inconsistent ruling.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) October 13, 2015
Read O'Brien decision - still can't see why good conduct at hearing is mitigation; as if you're going to act otherwiswe. IMO 2 weeks correct
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) October 13, 2015
Three week ban for Gray and Ford. O'Brien gets one week for punching a bloke in the stomach off the ball. Absolute joke
— Rob Robertson (@SDM_Robertson) October 13, 2015
Sepp Blatter allegedly refuses invitation to serve on RWC Disciplinary Committee - says he fears it could sully his reputation #5Weeks
— Phil Steele (@philsteele1) October 13, 2015
This Rugby World Cup is now a farce. Decision only to give O'Brien a week and give Gray three weeks has made it a joke. Utter, flaming wank
— James Corrigan (@jcorrigangolf) October 13, 2015
Sean O'Brien. 1 week. Can't say I'm shocked or even surprised.
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) October 13, 2015
Some of the Irish reaction below.
How can it have taken that long if he said 'I did it'.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 13, 2015
@adyeoman @thepaulwilliams first offense:good behavior always gets u time off.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 13, 2015
Sean O'Brien gets a week. The long, long delay probably due to IRFU wanting to get the official verdict changed from "due to rank idiocy".
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 13, 2015
4 Ryan 5 Toner 6 Hendo 7 Henry 8 Heaslip 19 Ruddock 20 Murphy. Good enough to win. Nobody get hurt.
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) October 13, 2015
When you check your phone and see that Sean O'Brien has only got a one week ban. https://t.co/q2JRnsDWai
— Mary Mc Intyre (@Mc1988) October 13, 2015
Everyone except Diarmuid Connolly complaining about the citing hearing process pic.twitter.com/3kqBDan2bF
— Thomas Niblock BBC (@thomasniblock) October 13, 2015
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
