2012 Super Rugby Judicial Wrap: Week Two
Francois Hougaard receiving his marching orders for a tip-tackle on Robert Ebersohn of the Toyota Cheetahs. Hougaards' Side the Vodacom Bulls won the encounter 52-19 with only 13 men. Photo by Denese Lups/ Rugby
Sanzarrugby.com reviewed the judicial affairs of the second week of 2012 Super Rugby, where the tournament saw its first red card, while a white card issued led to this season’s longest off-field suspension.
Summary of the disciplinary cards shown:
White Cards
There were two White Cards issued:
1. Rebels v Waratahs
Following a complaint from Waratahs Captain Daniel Halangahu that team mate Tom Cater alleged that The Rebels No. 4 (Adam Byrnes) had attacked his eyes, Referee Bryce Lawrence issued a White Card in the 27th Minute and informed the Rebels Captain Gareth Delve of the allegation.
Bynes was subsequently cited post match and Charge under Law 10.4 (m) Acts contrary to Good sportsmanship – making contact with the eye, and was found guilty by a SANZAR Judicial officer and was suspended from all forms of Rugby for 10 weeks, up to and including the 13th May 2012.
2. Highlanders v Crusaders
Following a scrum minor altercation Referee Jaco Peyper received a report from his Assistant Referee that Owen franks had allegedly thrown a punch but was unclear where it landed. As Peyper had not seen the incident and the Assistant Referee was unclear in his report he penalised the Crusaders and put the incident on report.
The incident was reviewed by the SANZAR Citing Commissioner post match who deemed this incident had not met the Red Card threshold and therefore no further action was taken.
Off Field Yellow Cards
There were two Off Field Yellow Cards Issued:
1. Tristan Moran (Hurricanes)
In the 31st minute of the match between the Lions and the Hurricanes Referee Steve Walsh penalised Hurricanes player Tristan Moran for a dangerous tackle following advice from his assistant referee. Following review by the Citing Commissioner after the game, he reached the conclusion that the incident did not meet the Red Card Threshold however felt a Yellow are was an appropriate outcome. He was there for found in breach of Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous Tackling. A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously and the Off-Field Yellow Card issued.
2. Jason Eaton (Hurricanes)
Hurricanes player Jason Eaton was also issued an “Off-field” yellow card for contravening Law 10.4 (b) A Player must not stamp or trample on an opponent, following an incident in the 51st minute of the Lions v Hurricanes match. The incident was not acted on by the Match Referee Steve Walsh, however on further review of the footage after the match by the Citing Commissioner he deemed an yellow card was appropriate.
Red Card
There was one Red Card issued:
1. Francois Hougaard
Francois Hougaard was given a red card by Referee Craig Joubert in the 62nd minute of the game between his team (the Bulls) and the Cheetahs on 3 March 2012.
Mr Hougaard immediately accepted the tackle was in breach of rule 10.4(j) as per the sending off of the referee. After consideration of all the relevant material, including the footage, Mr Hougaard’s good record and the rather unusual nature of the incident, I indicated a penalty of one-week suspension. Mr Hougaard, through his lawyer, accepted that and accordingly he is suspended from all forms of the game to and including Sunday 11 March 2012 (a one week, one match suspension).
In summary the judicial findings: The footage showed Hougaard lifting the opposing player into the air and dropping him on to the ground. The Cheetahs number 13 fell backwards and twisted on to his right shoulder. He was not injured and continued unaffected. A subsequent report from the Cheetahs confirmed that (as did Mr Swart for the player).
Hougaard immediately acknowledged his wrong. An unusual feature was the involvement of another Cheetahs player, initially supporting the tackled player and then not continuing to do so. It was submitted, and I accept, that this appears to have inadvertently contributed to Hougaard failing to realise that the player would drop to the ground.
In my view this was a brief incident of dangerous play, which resulted in a breach of rule 10.4(j), without any intent to drop the player on to the ground. Accordingly, I find the entry point low end (three weeks). The player immediately accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty. He has no disciplinary record, is of good character and this is his first card of any type I am told. The circumstances of the tackle were unusual and there was no injury or lasting impact on the tackled player.
In addition, Hougaard has the embarrassment of being sent from the field and the record that comes with that. In all the circumstances therefore I reduced the penalty to one weeks suspension. I emphasise that this was an unusual case and that it should not be regarded as setting any precedent in respect of future tackles of this sort.
(www.sanzarrugby.com)
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