Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Los Jaguares forwards Tomás Lavanini and Ramiro Herrera are to face SANZAR discplinary hearings this coming week to respond to their foul play charges which saw both red carded in the first half against the Kings on Friday.
The Argentine Super Rugby franchise lost the second-rower and tighthead prop yet gave the Kings a run for their money before losing a third player for the final ten minutes. Down to twelve players the Jaguares could no longer compete, enabling the Kings to score late tries to seal the win.
Both Herrera and Lavanini are alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (g) Dangerous Charging. In separate incidents they entered rucks, taking out opposition members in no-arm tackles. With contact made to the head New Zealand referee Nick Briant sent both off.
SANZAAR Duty Judicial Officer Michael Heron will hear their cases and determine whether further punishment is required for either, or both player.
Multiple Missed Red Cards
Two matches played on Saturday morning (Americas time) saw referees reacting differently to comparable incidents. In Canberra, Australia Sunwolves second-rower Hitoshi Ono was yellow carded by South African referee Jaco Van Heerden in the first half.
The Japanese forward made contact with an opponent but avoided being sent off. Upon review the Citing Commissioner deemed the incident to met the threshold of a red card. Ono is officially alleged to have contravened 10.4 (a) Striking with his head.
Meanwhile the Crusaders pairing of Ryan Crotty and David Havili were both also cited for foul play during their team’s 26-21 win against the Blues in Auckland.
Crotty has officially been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning for contravening Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous Tackling as he attempted to tackle Ihaia West. In performing the tackle Crotty made contact with the West’s head.
The SANZAAR Citing Commissioner has deemed that while the incident was bad it fell short of meeting the Red Card threshold for citings.
His teammate, Havili is not so fortunate with the Citing Commissioner deeming that he is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (a) Punching or Striking with his arm to the neck of Blues back Piers Francis.
The Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident should have been red carded. Like Ono, Havili will join Lavanini and Herrera in being assessed by by SANZAAR Duty Judicial Officer Michael Heron QC.
