Sidey sidelined for three weeks
Western Force centre, Rory Sidey, has been suspended for three weeks after a SANZAR judicial hearing found him guilty on the charge of dangerous tackling during the Force’s match with the Sharks on Saturday.
Sidey came on as a replacement for Mitch Inman who had dislocated an elbow. Sidey was sent off (reed card) after 17 minutes for a tip tackle on Odwa Ndungane, the Sharks wing. Ndungane was injured in the incident and was stretchered off the field and spent the night in hospital.
Side’s hearing was on Monday. The judicial officer who heard the case in Sydney via conference call with Sidey in Perth was Dennis Wheelahan QC.
Sidey did not contest that the tackle was dangerous. Wheelahan upheld the dangerous tackle charge and determined that Sidey be suspended for three weeks.
The send-off and suspension was in terms of Law 10.4 (j): Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play.
Sanction: Penalty kick.
Just recently the International Rugby Board has asked that action be more strictly taken against such tip/spear tackles. This suspension is the lowest recommended by the IRB.
The IRB’s recommendation:
Lifting a Player from the ground and either dropping or driving that Player’s head and/or upper body into the ground whilst the Player’s feet are off the ground.
The IRB’s recommended suspensions are based on the scale of seriousness of the foul play.
The recommended suspensions are:
Lower End: 3 weeks
Mid Range: 6 weeks
Top End: 10+ weeks
Maximum: 52 weeks
