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USA's Alev Kelter receives ban for stamping
By Lucy Lomax
USA’s Alev Kelter has been suspended for three matches following an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing. The centre appeared before a panel on Tuesday 20th May, having received a red card for stamping in the USA’s Pacific Four Series 2025 match against Australia on Saturday.
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The player accepted that she had committed an act of foul play and that the referee’s decision to award a red card was correct.
The Committee found that there was foul play and that it met the red card threshold and there was contact with the head by Kelter’s boot.
On careful review of the footage, the committee accepted the player’s evidence that she did not intend to contact the head of Australia’s Georgie Friedrichs, but was reckless in her actions.
The Committee concluded that contact to the head was glancing or grazing rather than direct and targeted. The Committee was not satisfied that the player looked down and was aware she was contacting the head of Friedrichs.
The Committee has applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in head contact (six matches). Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s disciplinary record, early acknowledgment of foul play and her clear remorse, the Disciplinary Committee determined that full mitigation was appropriate.
Kelter will miss the following matches and will be available for selection for the USA’s Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Fiji in Washington on Saturday 19th July.
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Comments on RugbyPass
1 Go to commentsLaumape was explosive, and Tupaea before the grub swain destroyed his career.
124 Go to commentsSlow to turn is a downside
Huge raking punt and endurance speed is an upside!
I really like him but noticed him getting caught out a few times recently
Telea has similar issues especially on defiance aerial bombs
1 Go to commentsWhen you get too comfortable. You forget your values and where you came from. The bro lost at doing life and the simple things.
2 Go to commentsKa mau te wehi. Our 4 guys got the coolest names too lol.
Looking foward to kick-off.
9 Go to commentsYeah I’d love for both these guys to really kick on. Finau had more metres per carry, higher post contact metres and more defenders beaten. Parker had more tackles per minute and higher tackle %. Finau had more dominant tackles.
Both have potential to be be absolute beasts.
124 Go to commentsThat’s just how it goes, can say that for a few positions that have turned into strengths overnight.
Really looking forward to Barrett playing 6.
Lakai and Kirifi should move around once Lakai is available.
124 Go to commentsHear Rieko might be more of a wing option, and Big Jim and Jordie might be covering the back three too, especially on team runs where it’s more important to have match ups (a full backline defending).
Plus they expected ALB to be out and replaced by a winger for parts of the tour anyways? I like that there is like a 12/13 group their to all fight and learn together, with Timico new and Quinn a first time razor/new coaching group guy.
5 Go to commentsI doubt that version since Foster himself said he made the decision.
124 Go to commentsThe new/young midfielders will need some seasoned pro their to bring them through and ALB style wise makes more sense than Havili, though I could see them rotate.
9 Go to commentsExactly as Razor said. Slackbladder fails miserably in the dominant tackles and go forward stakes!
124 Go to commentsCLW isn’t above 1.9m I wouldn’t say (and Read was about 1.95) but he is a bruiser that can play 6 or 8 (about the same size as Sititi?) alright, could be a part of one of their more mobile trio options I reckon.
I think Blackadder played himself out of a spot in the finals, exemplifying what he doesn’t bring when I hear his games high carries and tackles (semi v Blues) resulted in not 1 meter gained nor dominant tackle/turnover made, respectively.
Plenty to like if he’s a 7, but in that race he looses to Luke and is just not what they’re probably after of a 6. Showed he’s in good form and can be relied upon if needed though.
9 Go to commentsSimon Parker kept Finau out of Chiefs’ starting lineup. Such a shame he got injured. Hopefully he’ll get a shot later in the year. Unlike Finau, he plays to his immense size. Our future 6.
104 Go to commentsI’d be interested in your thoughts on Paisami this season Nick. As an casual observer, in my eyes, he’s looked pretty ordinary. Certainly shades of the emerging ‘triple-threat’ he was a few seasons ago. I felt he could have done a lot more to take pressure off Lynagh/HMP this season.
Geez the wallabies could really use a D Havili in our squad.
9 Go to commentsMate I’m rooting for Finau to grow into that beast we need at #6. Unlike guys like Ethan, Dalton, Cullen, even Luke, who’ve likely hit their ceilings, Finau has loads to give. Jase Ryan rates Finau very highly, as do I. Now it’s up to him.
Yeah. For Lio-Willie to get that call-up above the others is mint.
11 Go to commentsI’d start Proctor at 13, Reiko at 14 - he naturally carries the ball in his right hand anyway so is better suited to that side of the field. Want to see our wingers with top-end speed..something Reece lacks. Caleb Tangiteau is a huge talent who’s time should come once he’s over his injuries.
Finau has the most potential to grow into the 6 jersey, just like Kaino, who took some time, and just as Frizzell was starting to do. All the others are journeymen, non-specialist 6s, and they don’t offer the extra height in the lineout. Simon Parker might have been close too, had he not been injured. Trio of Ardie at 7, Sititi at 8 and Finau at 6 works for me.
Tavatavanawai (gainline/turnovers) and Kirifi (turnovers) off the bench to cause havoc late in the game.
9 Go to commentsFinau definitely passes the eye test. Up to the coaches to coach him now.
I would have been more upset if Lio Willie missed out altogether.
9 Go to commentsNo, I get it. Jase Ryan, in his post selection individual interview, said the reason in selecting Finau is to build on the great work they began last year. At only 26, 193cms, & 115kgs this makes sense.
Blackadder is obviously still in the mix pending injury etc though I’m pretty rapt for Christian Lio-Willie too.
2 Go to commentsVery pleased Crusaders 10 Rivez Reihana got in the Maori All Blacks. He stepped up big time for the Crusaders when he took over the 10 jersey. He looked at ease in big pressure matches. His Crusaders team mate Antonio Shalfoon was one of the form locks in the comp, forming a great partnership with Scott Barrett. A genuine enforcer on the field.He deserves this recognition.
5 Go to commentsThis is a very good article by Adam Julian. Rivez Reihana was a stand out again at 10 for the Crusaders on Saturday night. A great tradition of Northlanders coming to the Crusaders. Norm Maxwell was a great and as mentioned who could forget his great try against the Blues in the first Final win in 1998. I love what Adam says about Assistant Coach Brad Mooar. I have so much time for Brad. He has a great rugby brain and is one of the nicest people you could meet. He added so much.
9 Go to commentsRazor said it. You’d think he knows Blackadder’s game pretty well by now. Stats back it up as well. Then there’s the injury factor.