Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Liam Squire citing dropped on eve of All Blacks series

By Online Editors
Liam Squire

Backrow Liam Squire is free to play for the All Blacks after his citing for striking was dismissed.

ADVERTISEMENT

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee dismissed the citing for the Highlander for contravening Law Law 9.12: Striking with shoulder, after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

Squire has been cleared of all charges. The incident occurred in the 11th minute of the match between the Highlanders and Hurricanes played at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on 1 June 2018.

Continue reading below…

Questions marks were asked about this incident involving Julian Savea during the same match.

Video Spacer

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player, from the other player involved (and a medical report on him), from a member of the Highlanders’ coaching staff, and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee dismissed the citing.”

“The Foul Play Review Committee found that the Player had legitimately entered the ruck ‘through the gate’, and not at great speed, with the intent of cleaning out the other Player.

“The Player had taken up, and held, a correct body position in order to try and effect the clean out, with his upper body and head in a horizontal plane and with both his hands (neither with closed fists) in a position to be able to engage and grapple with the other player around his torso (about the level of the shoulder blades).

“As the Player entered the ruck, and immediately before he engaged with the other player, that other player was in a head down, bottom up, position facing in the direction of the Player. At the very last moment the other player dropped down on his knees (possibly, in part, as a result of the actions of other players), and brought his upper body, shoulders and head up, directly into the line of the committed Squire.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The resulting impact between the two, which was not of significant force (and did not require any HIA), was virtually instantaneous. In these circumstances, the citing was not made out on the evidence.”

“The player is therefore free to play.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 19 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

25 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough' Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough'
Search