Mitchell appeal dismissed
Rebels wing Lachlan Mitchell has failed in his appeal against a one-match suspension for a spear tackle on British and Irish Lions wing Simon Zebo.
Mitchell was found guilty of a dangerous tackle Zebo in the Lions' 35-0 win over the Rebels on June 25.
The Rebels and the Australian Rugby Union said that Lex Mpati of South Africa, who heard the appeal by video conference on July 3, upheld the original finding.
Mitchell will serve the one-match ban in the final Rebels match of the season – when they play the Highlanders in Melbourne on Friday.
Judicial officer Nigel Hampton originally found Mitchell guilty, after he was cited under Law 10.4 (j): Lifting a player from the ground and dropping that player into the ground whilst that player's feet are still off the ground, such that the player's upper body comes into contact with the ground.
Having reserved his decision of the incident Mpati said he was not persuaded that the judicial officer was wrong in his finding.
"Having heard all of the evidence and reviewed the video I conclude Mitchell lifted the British & Irish Lions player Simon Zebo," Mpati said.
"I also concluded that there was a dropping of Zebo in that, unsupported, his upper body fell to the ground whilst both the legs were still being held up and off the ground and that the player's body came into contact with the ground."
While dismissing the Rebels appeal Mpati also declined to interfere with the one match ban imposed by the judicial officer.
