Tackle school for Biggar as EPCR publish five disciplinary results
EPCR have published the outcome of five disciplinary hearings that took place this week, including its investigation into the red card copped by Wales skipper Dan Biggar during his Challenge Cup appearance last Saturday night for Northampton at Gloucester.
HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
Ma’ama Vaipulu suspended for six weeks
The Union Bordeaux-Begles No8, Ma’ama Vaipulu, has been suspended for six weeks following an independent disciplinary hearing by video conference arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 second leg match against La Rochelle at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. Vaipulu was sent off by the referee, Wayne Barnes (England), for tackling La Rochelle centre Jonathan Danty in a dangerous manner in the 26th minute of the match in contravention of law 9.13.
The independent disciplinary committee comprising Marcello d’Orey (Portugal, chair), Leon Lloyd (England) and Sarah Smith (Scotland) considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Vaipulu, who accepted the red card decision, from the Bordeaux team manager, Dylan Perez, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that Vaipulu had tackled Danty in a dangerous manner that warranted a red card. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account the player’s guilty plea and apology, the committee reduced the sanction by one week. However, given his poor disciplinary record, one week was added to the sanction before a six-week suspension was imposed. Vaipulu will be free to play pending confirmation of Bordeaux’s forthcoming match schedule.
Juan Cruz Mallia suspended for four weeks
The Toulouse wing, Juan Cruz Mallia, has been suspended for four weeks following an independent disciplinary hearing arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 first leg match against Ulster at Le Stadium. Mallia was sent off by the referee, Wayne Barnes (England), in the tenth minute of the match for making contact with the Ulster wing, Ben Moxham, in the air in a dangerous manner in contravention of law 9.17
The independent disciplinary committee comprising James Dingemans (England, chair), Becky Essex (England) and Jamie Corsi (Wales) considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Mallia who accepted the red card decision, from the player’s legal representative, Neil Robertson, from the Toulouse president, Didier Lacroix, from the Toulouse head coach, Ugo Mola, and from the Toulouse general manager, Jean-Luc Brumont. Submissions from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan, were also heard.
The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that Mallia had made contact with Moxham in the air in a dangerous manner that warranted a red card. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and eight weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his guilty plea, and as there were no aggravating factors, it was decided to grant the full 50 per cent mitigation and the committee, therefore, reduced the sanction by four weeks before imposing a four-week suspension. Mallia is free to play on Monday, May 9.
Arron Reed suspended for three weeks
The Sale Sharks wing, Arron Reed, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent disciplinary hearing arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 second leg match against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate. Reed was sent off by the referee, Frank Murphy (Ireland), in the 34th minute of the match for tackling the Bears wing, Luke Morahan, in a dangerous manner in contravention of law 9.13.
The Judicial Officer, Kathrine Mackie (Scotland), considered the matter on papers and she upheld the red card decision, finding that Reed had executed a dangerous and reckless tackle, making contact with Morahan’s head, that warranted a red card. It was then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
As Reed had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card, and given his clear disciplinary record, it was decided to grant the full 50 per cent mitigation and the judicial officer, therefore, reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension. Reed is free to play on Monday, May 23. However, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby coaching intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, May 16.
Jules Plisson citing complaint dismissed
A citing complaint against the La Rochelle replacement out-half, Jules Plisson, arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 second leg match against Bordeaux at Stade Marcel-Deflandre has been dismissed following an independent disciplinary hearing by video conference.
Plisson was cited by the match citing commissioner, Gary Gordon (Scotland), for allegedly tackling the Bordeaux replacement scrum-half, Yann Lesgourgues, in a dangerous manner in the 76th minute of the match in contravention of law 9.13.
The independent disciplinary committee comprising Antony Davies (England, chair), Gordon Black (Ireland) and Leon Lloyd (England) head submissions from Plisson, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, from the player’s legal representative, Yves-Marie Feve, from the La Rochelle sporting director, Robert Mohr, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.
While the committee determined that Plisson had committed an act of foul play, it found that he had attempted to pull out of the tackle and reduce the force involved. It was then decided that his action did not warrant a red card. The citing complaint was therefore dismissed and Plisson is free to play.
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Dan Biggar suspended for three weeks
The Northampton Saints out-half, Dan Biggar, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent disciplinary hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 match against Gloucester at Kingsholm. Biggar was sent off by the referee, Sam Grove-White (Scotland), in the 51st minute of the match for tackling the Gloucester centre, Chris Harris, in a dangerous manner in contravention of law 9.13.
The independent disciplinary committee comprising Philippe Cavalieros (France, chair), Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) and Mitchell Read (England) heard submissions from Biggar, who accepted the red card decision, from the Northampton Saints team manager, Maurice Hartery, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that in executing a dangerous tackle that warranted a red card, Biggar had made contact with Harris’ head. It was then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Given his guilty plea and clear disciplinary record, and as there were no aggravating factors, it was decided to grant the full 50 per cent mitigation and the committee, therefore, reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension. Because of Northampton’s forthcoming fixture schedule, Biggar is free to play on Monday, May 23. However, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby coaching intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, May 2.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments