Argentina fullback receives ban for challenge on Bok scrumhalf
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Argentina fullback Juan Cruz Mallia received a two-week ban for his challenge on Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams in last weekend’s Rugby Championship encounter at Ellis Park.
A SANZAAR Judicial Committee found the player guilty of contravening Law 9.11: Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others.
Grant Williams, a scrumhalf for the Springboks, retrieved the ball from the first kickoff and tried to clear it. Cruz Mallia struck Williams’ head with his hip as he leaped to charge down the clearance, instantly taking out the Bok No. 9.
Referee Andrew Brace, an Irishman, referred to it as a “rugby incident” but did not intervene.
The matter was evaluated by the SANZAAR Judicial Committee, which was led by Nigel Hampton and included David Croft and Ofisa Tonu’u.
Hampton concluded as follows: “The Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citation under Law 9.11 after conducting a thorough review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player, the Argentinian coach, and the match referee, as well as submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd.
“In terms of punishment, the Judicial Committee determined that the foul play was careless, dangerous, and significantly affected the player who was the victim.
“After taking into account all pertinent aspects of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process and sanctioning table, the Committee determined that a mid-range sanction would be entirely disproportionate to the player’s fault and that the foul play merited a low-range entry point of two weeks, given the evidence from both the referee and the coach regarding how successful charge downs of kicks are viewed by match officials and as to how coaching of players is conducted as a consequence.”
“Therefore, the player is suspended for a period of two weeks, which includes August 18, 2023.”
#ICYMI: Argentina coach Michael Cheika has continued his rotation policy ahead of the World Cup warm-up match against South Africa in Buenos Aires on Saturday. 👇#Argentina #LosPumas #SouthAfrica #Springboks #RWC2023 #ARGvRSA https://t.co/hRC0d5XeG0
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 4, 2023
