Horwill cleared to play in decider

Australia captain James Horwill is free to play in Saturday’s decider against the British & Irish Lions after the IRB appeal against him fell through.
The Wallaby lock was initially cited after the first Test in Brisbanne for stamping on his opposite number Alun-Wyn Jones but he was cleared the next day sparking huge controversy with the media calling on the IRB to step in.
The World Rugby ruling body did so last week but independent judicial officer Graeme Mew concluded that the previous judicial officer didn’t make any errors of law or principle giving the all-clear to Horwill to lead the Green and Gold in their most important game since the 2003 World Cup final.
Mew said: “For the appeal to succeed the IRB would have to establish that there was some misapprehension of law or principle by the judicial officer or that his decision was so clearly wrong or manifestly unreasonable that no judicial officer could have reached the conclusion that he did.
“There was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable judicial officer could have reached the decision that was made. Accordingly, it could not be said that the judicial offer was manifestly wrong or that the interests of justice otherwise required his decision be overturned.
“The process is what it is but I have to say it was a very fair process both times. The hearings were very fair.”