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Los Jaguares second-rower Tomás Lavanini has been ruled out of facing Sharks through suspension. The 23 year old was found guilty of a dangerous charge on Cheetahs center William Small-Smith following the South African player’s 25th minute try on Friday.
Lavanini pleaded guilty to the offense which SANZAAR Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton accepted under Law 10.4 (g). It sees Lavanini out of all forms of rugby for one week up to and including Saturday, March 5.
“After initially reviewing the video footage, Citing Commissioner’s report and other relevant materials, I heard from the player and his representatives, including his counsel Stephan Weyers,” said Hampton.
“The player accepted a breach of the dangerous charging law and identified the various factors involved in the incident.”
“I considered the incident and the submissions made by counsel and formed the view that the charge, appropriately, should be amended to 10.4 (g) Dangerous Charging. I found the offence to have an entry point in the low end range which starts at a two-week suspension.”
“I did not consider there to be any aggravating factors to take into account. I did take the player admitting guilt for the offence into account as a mitigating factor. This entitles the player up to a 50 percent reduction in sanction which I applied. This results in a one week suspension being imposed on the player.”
Lavanini started with Los Pumas colleague Guido Petti in the second-row against the Cheetahs. With him ruled out of facing the Sharks in Durban this coming weekend Matías Alemanno is now set to join Petti in the run-on team. There are no other specialists in Durban at present though both Javier Ortega Desio and Rodrigo Báez has provided cover in the past. Ortega Desio did so against Georgia in the World Cup.
Head Coach Raúl Pérez will determine whether or not a replacement is to be called-up to join Los Jaguares in preparation for the round two fixture. Former Stade Français second-rower Juan Cruz Guillemaín has been under an injury cloud making Ignacio Larrague a strong candidate. Larrague played against Canada yesterday, receiving 50 minutes before being replaced by Marcos Kremer.
