Wallaby gets four-week suspension

NEWS: Lachlan Swinton’s participation in the Tri-Nations is over.

The Wallaby flank was given a red card in the 35th minute for a high tackle on All Black lock Sam Whitelock during the Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane over the weekend.

Swinton, who was making his international debut, has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021 (four weeks means four matches).

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Mike Mika assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions from his legal representative, Maryjane Crabtree, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13.

“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. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to four weeks. The player was not entitled to a full 50 percent reduction due to the presence of two prior offences on his record.

“The player is therefore suspended for four weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021.”

Meanwhile, All Black prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi is set to learn his fate on Tuesday after he also received a red card for the same offence in Saturday’s match.

Tu’ungafasi was sent off after 22 minutes when he made high contact with Australia wing Tom Wright.