'Rubbish': Wallabies legend blasts World Cup 'embarrassment'

Former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns has accused World Rugby of buckling under pressure from global media after Aussie winger Reece Hodge was cited for a dangerous tackle in the Rugby World Cup win over Fiji.

Hodge faces an uncertain future at the tournament in Japan after officials took retrospective action over his tackle during their opening win over Fiji in Sapporo.

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More than 24 hours after the incident, citing commissioner John Montgomery of Scotland ruled Hodge had a case to answer following the tackle on flanker Peceli Yato which appeared to be high and involved no arms midway through the first half of Australia's 39-21 victory.

The 25-year-old Melbourne Rebels utility back will attend an independent judicial committee hearing in Tokyo. A date and time are yet to be determined.

Fiji were incensed by the tackle, which stopped what was shaping as a likely try to hulking Clermont star Yato, metres from the line.

Hodge faces the prospect of being rubbed out for two matches if he is found guilty.

One of those matches would include Sunday's blockbuster clash with Wales - a match that is likely to determine which team tops Pool D.

Despite widespread anger over the incident - in which many viewers and experts thought Hodge was lucky to stay on the field - Kearns says it's disgraceful the Aussie has been cited for the tackle.

“It is the biggest load of tripe that we have seen in world rugby for a long time,” Kearns said on Fox Sports.

“That is just rubbish that has been brought on by the press, there’s no doubt about it.

“Reece didn’t have time to get his arms up properly.

“He was trying, you can actually see it in the action, and look who gets poleaxed more than anyone — Reece Hodge.

“That’s embarrassing for World Rugby that they’d even consider that.

The credibility of World Rugby's campaign to rid the game of dangerous high tackles has come under question after the Hodge incident, with many deeming it a cut-and-dried case for a red card was let go by match officials.

While retroactive action could see Hodge punished, it doesn't change the fact that Fiji lost the best player on the field up to that point for the rest of the match, as well as for Wednesday's game against Uruguay as Yato fulfils concussion protocols.

World Rugby had made much of the clarity of their framework for dangerous and high tackles ahead of the World Cup, even screening a video of the decision process for the media at a briefing in Tokyo on Monday.

Although few are suggesting any malicious intent on Hodge's part, former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio certainly felt the tackle fulfilled the first two stages of the process and that there appeared to be little basis for a plea of mitigation.

"Is it high? Yes. Is there head contact? Yes. World Rugby is very clear on this," Dallaglio said on Britain's ITV.

Dallaglio was not alone, with many media pundits blasting the decision, while there were rumblings too on social media from those who believe top-tier nations get preferential treatment from officials.

To make matters worse, Fiji captain Dom Waqaniburotu said he had asked the referee to check the incident with the Television Match Official (TMO) when it was missed on field. He was told the tackle had been cleared.

A three-man panel chaired by New Zealander Nigel Hampton will form the first judiciary of the tournament and their decision will be closely scrutinised.

Hodge went on to have a solid game after a torrid start, having been forced into attempting a host of one-on-one tackles against a Fijian side who were rampant in the opening exchanges.

He was bumped off twice when going low, including one don't-argue from former Parramatta NRL star Semi Radradra.

It was the debut World Cup appearance for Hodge, who has played 37 Tests in a variety of positions.

If he is suspended, the Wallabies have some accomplished options as cover in Dane Haylett-Petty and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

With agencies