Australia flanker Hooper cited for Brown shoulder charge

Australian flanker Michael Hooper has been cited by World Rugby officials for his first half shoulder charge on England fullback Mike Brown.

Rugby World Cup organisers World Rugby have announced that Hooper has been reported by independent citing commissioner Steve Hinds for allegedly “charging into a ruck or maul without use of the arms or grasping the player”.

Hooper will now face a disciplinary hearing in London on Tuesday.

Meanwhile England’s Sam Burgess has received a Citing Commissioner Warning from independent Citing Commissioner Steve Hinds (New Zealand) for a breach of Law 10.4(e) (dangerous high tackle) in the 71st minute of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, 3 October.

Under the Rugby World Cup 2015 disciplinary programme, a Citing Commissioner Warning equates to a yellow card for the purposes of sanction. A combination of three yellow cards or Citing Commissioner Warnings accumulated during the tournament will result in a hearing. Burgess is therefore free to play in England’s final Pool A match against Uruguay.