PRO14 accused of 'shambles' over Kleyn ban compared to Liam Williams' Six Nations suspension
A Guinness PRO14 disciplinary hearing panel have banned Munster second row Jean Kleyn for two weeks, igniting confusion over how the league applies its sanctions regarding players who are suspended. Kleyn was cited following Munster’s loss last weekend to Leinster under law 9.20 (b) – dangerous play in a ruck or maul where contact was made with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.
The hearing concluded that an act of foul play had occurred, meriting the mid-range entry point of a four-week suspension.
However, judicial officer Simon Thomas determined that there were mitigating factors, including the player’s acceptance of the foul play, timely remorse and previous clean disciplinary record.
That, according to the PRO14 media release announcing the ban, warranted a reduction in the sanction of two weeks, leaving Kleyn free to play again from Monday, February 15.
It is here where questions are being raised about the suspension’s application. Munster only have one PRO14 match between now and the ban expiry date, this Saturday trip to Benetton, so the suspension is effectively one match over the next two weeks.
Hang on a sec.
Please put me right if I'm missing something.
Liam Williams banned for 'three meaningful matches' (which happens to include Wales v Ireland).
Jean Kleyn banned for 'two weeks'.
Are we doing meaningful matches or weeks? Shambles. pic.twitter.com/2Dxc9tHCyX
— Matthew Southcombe (@MattSouth7) January 28, 2021
In contrast, Scarlets’ Liam Williams was banned for a period three weeks following his red card in a January 8 match with Cardiff. However, rather than this sanction being applied in terms of the number of days, it was specifically specified the ban would cover three games, essentially meaning it wasn’t a three-week ban.
The PRO14 media release at the time stated: “The player is suspended from participating in the next three meaningful fixtures for which he is fit and available for selection.”
This has meant that Test level back Williams is set to miss the opening round of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations with Wales against Ireland on February 7, 30 days after he was shown the red card at Cardiff City Stadium as blank weekends with Scarlets – unlike Kleyn with Munster – weren’t considered as part of the suspension served.
It later emerged that Kleyn is apparently missing a second game as PRO14 disciplinary officials accepted that a planned Munster A team verus Connacht A team friendly planned for February 13 is “a meaningful game”, a decision that won’t go down well in Wales given the calibre of matches Williams is missing.
RUMOUR MILL: CJ is once again been linked with a shock move to France. https://t.co/j45Ogrc78D
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 28, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to comments