Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Following a review of all camera angles, Argentine second-rower Tomás Lavanini was cited by independent Citing Commissioner Steve Hinds (New Zealand) under Law 10.4(h) for charging into a ruck or maul in the Rugby World Cup 2015 Bronze Final against South Africa in London on Friday.
On 25 August, 2009 the then-IRB Rugby Committee issued a Law Ruling to all unions clarifying that ”the bind onto another player when joining the ruck must either precede or be simultaneous with contact with any other part of the body including the shoulder of the joining player.”
Lavanini denies committing an act of foul play but the Judicial Officer deemed the act qualified as foul play, placing his involvement in Argentina’s match against the Barbarians this month in doubt. The November 21 fixture is Argentina’s next game thereby being the one Lavanini will miss unless he challenges the suspension. He has 48 hours to do so.
Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative Chris Smith, the Judicial Officer Terry Willis (Australia) upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed an act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(h).
The Judicial Officer considered that there were no aggravating factors. He then took into account mitigating factors including the player’s remorse, good character, relatively clean record and conduct prior to and at the hearing and reduced the two-week suspension to a period of one week.
