Ofa Tuungafasi free to play against Chiefs, escapes ban for reckless ruck clear-out
Despite Blues replacement Ofa Tuungafasi’s shoulder connecting with Scott Barrett’s jaw in the dying stages of Saturday’s top of the table Super Rugby Aotearoa match, no further sanction has been imposed on the prop for the reckless clear-out beyond the on-field yellow card.
The decision will come as a huge relief for Tuungafasi, who missed the latter stages of the All Blacks‘ Tri-Nations campaign last year after he was sent off and handed a three-match ban for a reckless tackle against the Wallabies.
A second red card-worthy offence committed in just his third game back would have no doubt resulted in a significant ban.
The sin-binning against the Crusaders occurred in the 75th minute of the match, with Tuungafasi heading into the breakdown to clear out Barrett but accidentally connecting with the lock’s jaw before dealing the full impact to his shoulder.
Referee Paul Williams settled on what would have been a 10-minute spell on the sidelines, indicating that the ‘glancing’ hit on Barrett’s jaw brought the offence down from a red card to yellow.
The past two matches have seen Josh Ioane wear No 10 and Mitch Hunt slot in at fullback. Why exactly has Tony Brown flipped the script ahead of Friday's clash with the Hurricanes? #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HIGvHURhttps://t.co/dGSkYWhmbr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 24, 2021
Still, SANZAAR cited Tuungafasi after the match – alongside hooker Kurt Eklund.
Eklund has been handed a three-match ban for his wrestling flip on Sevu Reece but at least, for the Blues’ sake, his front row partner won’t have to sit out any matches.
Following Sunday’s match, Blues coach Leon MacDonald was asked whether he was frustrated at his side’s lack of discipline, especially with regards to dangerous play.
“Without having a closer look, I thought it looked ok from where I was – but I do need to have another look at it,” he responded.
“It’s a tough one because it happens pretty quickly. The intent was there to clean [Barrett] off the ball, which is is his job … There wasn’t much in it at all, I think.
“What you don’t want to do is coach the intent out of our players. We want them to play with good aggression and be nice and physical and if they’re too scared to make tackles or clean rucks, then we become passive and we lose games. So it’s a really fine line and I think Ofa was right on that edge.”
In a statement released on the hearing, the Judicial Committee concluded it was “not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the red card threshold had been met” and that a yellow card was an appropriate sanction for Tuungafasi’s clear-out.
That means the All Blacks prop will be free to line up against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday evening.
Satuday’s match kicks off at 7:05pm NZT with the Chiefs chasing their second win of the season and the Blues looking to bounce back from Sunday’s loss.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments