2012 Super Rugby Judicial Wrap – Week Seven
White Cards
Hurricanes v Sharks
General team warning
In the 31st minute of the match Referee Glen Jackson issued a White Card following an all-in brawl on the field.
Following review of the match footage the Citing commissioner reported:
The foul play that is the subject of this report was initially identified by an Assistant Referee when advising the Referee of the cause of a major brawl in the match. He reported that he had seen the Sharks No 3 ** lash out at a Hurricanes player with his arm that was immediately followed by many other players becoming involved in the incident. He was unclear as to the outcome of the ‘lashing out’ and the Referee issued a White Card for the actions of the Sharks No 3 and the Hurricanes No 7 to be examined.
Play resumed with a penalty against the Sharks No 3.
The footage of the match has been carefully been reviewed and it is clear that the Sharks No 3 in effect strikes the Hurricanes No 7 with his right arm by way of a forceful strike with his open hand to the face of the Hurricanes player.
This is a breach of Law 10. 4 (a) Punching/striking. This strike followed some pushing and shoving and verbal exchanges between the two, which had begun at an earlier ruck. The strike to the Hurricanes player then caused many of his teammates to come to his assistance which in turn saw many Sharks players become involved in the brawl that went on for some time with a number of separate skirmishes developing.
Consideration has been given to this matter being the subject of a citing. On balance, while the strike was seen as deliberate and clearly makes firm contact with the players face, the hit player was uninjured and the collective view of the citing commissioners is that the incident falls just short of the citing threshold. The foul was however contrary to good sportsmanship and did cause a significant disruption to the match. This coupled with the clear infringement of Law 10. 4 (a) has resulted in the issuing of an off field Yellow Card to the Sharks No 3, Jannie du Plessis.
The role in the incident of the Hurricanes No 7 has also been considered as he was a party to the White Card. While the evidence sees him involved in some pushing and shoving, he does not strike his opponent and no incidents of the foul play were identified.
Similarly, a careful review of the many other players involved in the brawl failed to identify any whose actions warranted any further sanction.
Bulls v Crusaders
Two White Cards were issued during the match in the 39th and 41st minute. Both cards were issued following a referral from the Bulls Team captain Pierre Spies to referee Jaco Peyper.
Both incidents referred by Spies related to allegations of contact being made with the eyes of Bulls players Chiliboy Ralepelle (39th Minute) and Flip van der Merwe (41st Minute).
On both occasions Peyper issued a White Card as he had not seen the incident referred.
Following the match the incidents were fully reviewed by the citing commissioner and the video evidence did not support any further action being taken. There was also no further information forthcoming from the Bulls following the match.
Off field Yellow Cards
Hurricanes v Sharks
Jannie De Plessis (Sharks)
See report above **
Reds v Brumbies
Dan Palmer (Brumbies)
Ben Daley (Reds)
In the 49th minute of the match there was an altercation between Dan Palmer (Brumbies) and Ben Daley (Reds). Referee Steve Walsh upon advice from his assistant referee issued a penalty to the Reds.
Upon review of the incident after the match the Citing commissioner reported:
From the side of a ruck Reds loosehead (Daly) and Brumbies tighthead (Palmer) started a small scuffle and threw a few punches. They then stopped and held each other in a standing position. After pausing the players then continued to strike each other numerous times, then both went to ground and continued to wrestle. This action incited multiple players from each side being drawn into the fight where tensions between the teams rose considerably.
The nature of the incident involved multiple punches being thrown, continuing with the punching and then continued to wresting on the ground, so that the incident went on for period of time (as opposed to a ‘tit for tat’ punch). Further the actions of Daly and Palmer incited other players to become involved in the incident which could have sparked a high level of violence on the field. The incident itself caused an obvious disruption to the match. Therefore in addition to striking the actions by both players, acted contrary to good sportsmanship, being Law 10.4.m.
Due to the above the incident was being reviewed for a Red Card.
This staged, I do not believe the incident breached the Red Card threshold as, no injuries were sustained to any players, both players were braced and expecting to be hit, the fighting itself was contained between the two players, and no third parties became involved in further fighting.
Therefore the incident has resulted in an “off field” Yellow Card being issued to both Palmer and Daley.
Cheetahs v Lions
Elton Janties
In the 28th minute of the match Referee Mark Lawrence penalised Lions No.10 Janties for a dangerous tackle on Cheetahs player No. 10 Johan Goosen.
In reviewing the incident after the match the citing commissioner reported:
The Cheetahs ten was running at pace at the Lions ten who got dangerously high tackled around. Janthjies held him in a headlock and twisted him over his leg and flung him to the ground. Both players went to ground and this tackle was observed by referee and assistant referee who warned and penalised him.
No real injury to # 10 Cheetahs who converted the penalty. The execution of the tackle was dangerous but in my opinion did not reach the red card threshold as calibrated with other citing commissioners an off field yellow card was issued.
Source: www.sanzarrugby.com
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