Los Pumas player cited for 'reckless' challenge on Bok
BREAKING: Argentinean fullback Juan Cruz Mallia has been cited for alleged foul play during the 21-22 Rugby Championship loss to South Africa at the weekend.
Cruz Mallia is alleged to have contravened Law 9.11: Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others.
From the opening kick-off, the ball was collected by Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams – who attempted a clearance.
Cruz Mallia jumped to charge down the clearance and his hip collided with the head of Williams – knocking the Bok No.9 out cold.
The referee, Andrew Brace of Ireland, called it a ‘rugby incident’ and took no action.
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However, upon further review of the match footage, the citing commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the ‘red card threshold’ for foul play.
In a statement, SANZAAR said the Case is to be considered by the foul play review committee on Tuesday, August 1 – via video conference (05.00 Argentyionean time; 10.00 SA time).
“All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the foul play review committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the foul play review committee.