World Cup dreams up in air as Swinton cops seven week ban

NEWS: The Waratahs’ Lachlan Swinton has copped a seven week suspension for a late tackle against the Force, which effectively will see his World Cup dreams fade in the mist and he won’t play another game in the regular season.

During a dramatic week for the Waratahs flanker he was cited a mere 50 minutes after his call-up to the Wallaby training squad by coach Eddie Jones, in the first minute of the Waratahs match against the Western Force in Sydney on Saturday.

The lengthy ban is nothing new for Swinton, who was shown a red card on debut for the Wallabies against the All Blacks in 2020.

The dangerous tackle on the Force’s Jake Strachan happened after he kicked the ball in his own quarter in the first minute of the game. The incident was missed by the TMO, David Conway and Strachan left the field for a HIA. Strachan played out the rest of the first half, but was assessed again for concussion at half-time and didn’t return.

A Sanzaar Judicial Committee Hearing found Swinton guilty of contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously after he was Cited following a Super Rugby Pacific Match at the Weekend.

Swinton has been suspended for seven weeks, up to and including 3 June 2023.  He was named as one of seven replacement players to join the 33-man Wallabies squad for a three-day camp, which kicked off on the Gold Coast on Monday. It remains to be seen if he will manage to convince Jones to give him another shot.

The SANZAAR Judicial Hearing held via video conference on Tuesday 18 April, 6:00 pm (AEST), 8:00 pm (NZST) was heard by Helen Morgan (Chair), Chris Smith and Ofisa Tonu’u.

In her finding, Judicial Committee Chair Helen Morgan ruled the following:

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions from the Player and his legal representative, Mr Aaron Lloyd, the Judicial Committee upheld the Citing under Law 9.13.”

“With respect to sanction, the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play was reckless, with the contact point directly made with the head, high force and no mitigating factors present. The Committee found the incident was highly dangerous and, after considering all relevant factors of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process and sanctioning table, decided the foul play merited a top-end entry point of 10 weeks. Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player’s acceptance of guilt that the incident was foul play, conduct at the hearing and remorse, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by three weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended for 7 weeks, up to and including 3 June 2023.”