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'Wholly disproportionate sanction': Shields learns red card fate

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Getty Images)

Wasps have breathed a Wednesday lunchtime sigh of relief after it emerged that Brad Shields has been cleared to play on without a ban following his red card in last Saturday’s win over Bristol. The New Zealand-born England back-rower had been sent off following the receipt of two yellow cards in his club’s opening match of the Premiership season. There were fears that a ban would rule the 30-year-old out of this coming weekend’s trip to Newcastle, but he has now been cleared and is available for selection. 

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An RFU statement read: “Brad Shields had his disciplinary case heard on papers by Matthew Weaver as the sole judicial officer. Shields was sent off by referee Karl Dickson in the 67th minute of the match versus Bristol on September 25. This was for two yellow cards, contrary to World Rugby law 9.27. Each yellow card was awarded for foul play. The player accepted the charge and Weaver deemed the offence sending off sufficient. Shields is free to play again immediately.”

In the written judgment that accompanied the statement on the Shields hearing outcome, Weaver had summarised: “Wasps provided detailed written submissions dealing with the characterisation of the incident and the mitigating and aggravating factors. Shields entered his plea at the first opportunity, notwithstanding that he maintained that he was not trying to deliberately collapse either maul but rather did not think a maul had formed and was therefore seeking to make a legal tackle in each case. 

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“He has a clean disciplinary record and is of very good character. A character reference from Wasps coach Lee Blackett was provided to the panel. He is a very experienced international player, playing over 100 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes, including many as captain. He has played over 50 games for Wasps and is currently team captain. He has won eight international caps for England. 

“The fact that save for these two yellow cards the player has only previously received two other yellow cards, and no red cards, over his career is to his credit. His conduct on and off the field has always been exemplary. The club submitted that there were no relevant aggravating features.

“The mandatory entry point is one week and, as such, 50 per cent mitigation, which I have no doubt the player would be entitled to, does not reduce the sanction below one week. This does not, in my view, do justice to the fact that the player did not, on his account, intend to commit the acts of foul play; that the acts were not overtly dangerous and caused no injury to another player and no serious adverse impact on the match; and it does not take into account the player’s early admission of guilt. 

“In addition, it provides the player with no recognition of his previous clean disciplinary record and the other matters of mitigation advanced on his behalf. In the circumstances, therefore, I consider that regulation 19.11.12 applies and that a one-week playing suspension would be a wholly disproportionate sanction for the level and type of offences committed. As such, I consider that the sending off was sufficient.”

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Trevor 30 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours 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 Brooke. 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 by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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