Super Rugby 2019

The SAHRC has taken over at SANZAAR's Foul Play Committee,

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sup...-banned-for-3-matches-for-fist-fight-20190401

Akker van der Merwe banned for 3 matches for fist fight
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Cape Town - The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe for contravening Law 9.12: A player must not physically abuse anyone, after he was red carded against the Bulls in Durban on Saturday.

Van der Merwe has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including April 19, 2019.

The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the match when Van der Merwe head-butted and punched opposite number, Schalk Brits.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (chairperson), Stefan Terblanche and Eroni Clarke assessed the case.

In his finding, Casselden ruled the following:

"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, Attie Heyns, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.12."

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. The evidence demonstrated the player contacted the opposing player's head with multiple punches. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's good judicial record and the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks."

"The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including April 19, 2019.”
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AND...

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sup...eek-ban-for-punch-up-bulls-to-appeal-20190401

Brits given 4-week ban for punch-up, Bulls to appeal
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Cape Town - In a scarcely believable sequence of events, Bulls hooker Schalk Brits has been given a FOUR-week ban following his red card against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

Earlier on Monday, it was confirmed that Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe had been given a THREE-week ban for his role in the altercation.

While both players were caught on camera throwing punches, Van der Merwe was clearly the instigator with a head-butt, followed by a series of punches landed to Brits' head.

Brits, who boasts an exemplary disciplinary record, had the decency to apologise to the referee and his team-mates while Van der Merwe was already halfway to the changing room when shown his red card (see around the 3:00 mark in the video below).

A Bulls representative confirmed to Sport24 that Brits' SANZAAR Foul Play Committee hearing had taken place on Monday morning and that the result was a four-week ban.

That committee comprised Adam Casselden SC (chairperson) as well as Eroni Clarke and former Springbok back Stefan Terblanche.

According to reports, Blue Bulls Rugby Union President Willem Strauss was incensed at the sanction, sending a broadcast message on a WhatsApp group which read: “Schalk 4 weeks, Akker 3 weeks - absolutely ridiculous.”

The SANZAAR decision will no doubt further frustrate and baffle supporters who have lost faith in the governing body in recent times.

The Bulls were understandably quick to appeal the decision and that hearing will take place on Tuesday at 07:00 SA time in front of a new three-person judicial committee of Helen Morgan (chairperson), David Croft and former Springbok prop, Lawrence Sephaka.
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Though both will technically only miss 3 matches, this shows that there is no standard in SANZAAR's Foul Play Committee. What merit? Why have a law book when the sanctions are a mere opinion? My guess, Akker's lawyer made some arguments... and it was settled.
 
According to the rules they were a bit light on Akker. But the rules were obviously written by a bunch of women who have never played rugby before. The on field red cards was already enough.
 
They explained the Akker / Brits bans, they start at 6 weeks and then give you 3 weeks discount if you plead guilty and it's your first offense, which it was for Akker and that explains his 3 week ban. For Brits it's the 3rd time that he throws punches on a rugby field so he didn't get the 50% discount, he is a repeat offender so only got 2 weeks off the 6 weeks.
 
walterl said:
They explained the Akker / Brits bans, they start at 6 weeks and then give you 3 weeks discount if you plead guilty and it's your first offense, which it was for Akker and that explains his 3 week ban. For Brits it's the 3rd time that he throws punches on a rugby field so he didn't get the 50% discount, he is a repeat offender so only got 2 weeks off the 6 weeks.
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I need to ask since I know the law book (and sanctions), is the 50% discount thing also a World Rugby instruction?

Reading the ruling:

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/schalk-brits-appeal-fails-banned-for-4-matches-20190402

In her finding, Morgan, the Judicial Committee chairperson, ruled the following:

"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, Gert van der Merwe, the Judicial Committee upheld the red card under Law 9.12.

"With respect to sanction the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. The evidence demonstrated the player contacted the opposing player's head with more than one punch. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's demonstrated remorse, extensive experience, the fact the player’s actions were in self-defence and the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by 2 weeks. The Judicial Committee was conscious of the fact that the player was not the instigator of the incident, but due to the player's previous two periods of suspension for striking offences, the Judicial Committee were unable to provide the full 50% discount for the sanction. This leads to a sanction of 4 weeks."

"The player is therefore suspended from all forms of the game for 4 weeks, up to and including May 4, 2019.”
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An odd remark by the media in relation to the previous ruling,

http://adtest.supersport.com/rugby/...rits_offered_four_week_suspension_will_appeal

However, after the Foul Play Committee – comprising of Stefan Terblanche, Eroni Clarke and Adam Casselden SC (Chairman) – reviewed Brits’ sanction he was offered a four week ban – which would have been reduced to two weeks if he plead guilty.
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it seems that Brits didn't want to have this incident on the record because he sees the incident as retaliation. I believe because Brits didn't show any remorse they gave him 4 weeks, but used the term discount to avoid any issues that may arise. The two incidents, one happened a long time ago and was a yellow card incident, the other about 3 years ago and was a red card incident, non which set a trend in his behaviour.
 
Sad end to a great player's career.

Israel Dagg announces retirement from rugby

Former All Blacks outside back Israel Dagg has called time on his career, hanging up his boots with immediate effect.

The 30-year-old's long-term knee injury has stopped him from training and playing at an elite level, so after taking medical advice he decided to retire.
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Stormers showing some enterprise with ball in hand. Two disallowed tries, each by a matter of centimeters.
 
I had difficulty falling asleep last night. Thanks Stormers and Reds, I just had a nice nap thanks to you.
 
Stormers were rather unlucky to fall foul of three TMO decisions (albeit correct ones) ruling out three tries. Still, three losses on the road now doesn't make for pretty reading. And it doesn't get any easier for them next week.
 
Agent_Smith said:
Stormers were rather unlucky to fall foul of three TMO decisions (albeit correct ones) ruling out three tries. Still, three losses on the road now doesn't make for pretty reading. And it doesn't get any easier for them next week.
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Those three also just added to the 10 straight they've had...

25-0 to the Sharks so far against the Lions... Oof.
 
Did anyone catch if Swys explained why he decided to play the 2013 Lions tonight?
 
Absolutely silenced the Lions. Domination via beautiful moves and play
 
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