Aru Threatens Force Over Henjak Inaction

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday February 13, 2008

Rupert Guinness

THE Australian Rugby Union has threatened to take the investigation of a violent incident involving players Matt Henjak and Haig Sare into its own hands if the Western Force fail to take action before their season opener against the Sharks on Saturday morning Sydney time.

The decision by the Western Force to take Henjak to South Africa as a member of their 26-man squad yesterday was met with dismay by the ARU, which warned the Perth-based franchise on Monday night not to allow the player to travel.

The Force said a serious misconduct hearing would be held into the incident, which took place at The Left Bank cafe bar and restaurant in East Fremantle on Sunday night and hospitalised Sare with a broken jaw.

The ARU firmly believes Henjak should not have toured. It was also annoyed it was not contacted by the Force yesterday morning - despite assurances - before the franchise announced that Henjak would not only travel but would play in round one against the Sharks in Durban.

"While natural justice demands any player is innocent until proven guilty, we believe there is justification to stand down any player who has a disciplinary hearing pending," ARU chief executive John ONeill said.

"After being told of the incident [on Monday night], the ARU advised the Force not to include Matt Henjak in the touring squad for South Africa. Unfortunately, we had no further contact with them this morning before they announced that Henjak would tour and, according to media reports, play in the first match on Friday."

Henjak's future as a professional rugby player in Australia is still in serious doubt, with the latest incident following a series of previous misdemeanours. The Herald also understands that a number of his Force teammates shared the ARU's position and were upset he was still allowed to tour. The players were concerned Henjak's presence could derail their tour, in which they will play South Africa sides in the first three rounds, because it would be a distraction and fuel the local players, media and fans.

They are also concerned about the message the decision delivers to the public and sponsors, who are increasingly sceptical about how serious the Force are about getting tough on off-field scandals. The Force squad left Perth yesterday divided on the issue rather than united, judging by the reaction of their coach John Mitchell, who threatened to walk out from a scheduled media call at Rugby WA's office yesterday morning unless the questioning focused on rugby matters rather than the Henjak-Sare issue.

"He deserves his selection," Mitchell said. "The team has put an enormous amount of work in the season into this first fixture. It would be totally unfair on everyone in the organisation and the team if we weren't to select the best players to go on the field."

Henjak and Sare will both face the hearing, according to Force interim chief executive Mitch Hardy, who yesterday said interviews of the various parties involved - and other possible witnesses - were continuing.

Sare, who underwent an operation on Monday night to have a plate inserted into his face, also has to make some recovery from his injuries before he can be properly interviewed. Initially listed in the 26-man squad, he is expected to be out for at least six weeks.

"Until that point in time, Matt will be permitted to travel with the team," Hardy said. "But there certainly is indication that a hearing will take place at some stage over the next one to two weeks so we can resolve this matter. You have got two players' careers that are on the line."

However, after having its advice snubbed by the Force, the ARU is prepared to intervene if it is not satisfied about the process, even calling for it to be carried out and completed before Saturday's game.

"Following discussions with Force management [yesterday] afternoon, the ARU has resolved to write to the Force requesting the disciplinary process be expedited," O'Neill said. "The game is bigger than individuals. Disciplinary matters need to be taken seriously and dealt with accordingly, and in isolation, regardless of the team dynamics."

Under its code of conduct policy, the ARU can take action if it feels that a province has not taken appropriate action.