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Finegan's wait Brumbies to appeal forward's suspension
SYDNEY (Reuters) -- The ACT Brumbies have appealed against forward Owen Finegan's five-week ban and a tribunal will hear the case two days before Saturday's Super 12 final, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said Tuesday. Finegan had been considering his options since a three-man judiciary panel found him guilty Sunday of stomping on the head of Queensland hooker Michael Foley during Saturday's Super 12 semifinal in Canberra. The Brumbies beat the Reds 30-6 and will host South Africa's Sharks in the final. Finegan, a 33-test veteran, had been in excellent form for the Brumbies ahead of the three-test series against the British and Irish Lions which starts in Brisbane on June 30. Finegan's bid to play in Saturday's final is even more desperate because a knee injury meant he missed last year's final which the Brumbies lost at home to the Canterbury Crusaders 20-19. The ARU said the South African-New Zealand-Australian rugby union alliance (SANZAR) appeals tribunal in Sydney would be chaired by John Gleeson QC and would include Dick Conti and John Freedman. Meanwhile, Australian international Rod Kafer is still facing a possible suspension after talks with ARU managing director John O'Neill failed to resolve their differences. Kafer, who plays for the ACT Brumbies, had claimed the ARU was biased against his team. "At the moment, we're very focused on performing well and that is the only thing we're worried about," coach Eddie Jones told reporters. Side issue "Everything else is a side issue and we just want to get out there in front of our home crowd and play well." James Holbeck was favored to replace center Stirling Mortlock, who dislocated his shoulder while scoring a try last week, Jones said. Former Brisbane Broncos rugby league player Peter Ryan is in line for his big opportunity if Finegan loses his appeal. "We'll have to adjust our game because we'll miss Owen's bulk in terms of hitting the line," Jones said. "If he doesn't play, Peter Ryan is ready to step in to his shoes and he's done very well this season coming off the bench. "He's probably one of our fittest players and I'm sure he'll be capable of playing 80 minutes if he gets the chance." The ARU made little attempt to hide the tense situation between O'Neill and Kafer. "Mr O'Neill says his conversation with Rod Kafer was not a constructive one and the matter will be referred to the next ARU board meeting on June 1," the ARU said in a statement Tuesday. Kafer told reporters last week: "You would like to think that everyone would be treated equal, but in this farmyard some pigs are treated more equal than others." O'Neill lashed out at Kafer's comments, pointing to the high number of ACT players in the national squad and the ARU's push to get the Brumbies in the Super 12 competition.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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