Mixed bag for SA's Challenge Cup bad boys
DISCIPLINARY NEWS: The Cheetahs have been dealt another blow as wing Daniel Kasende was handed a suspension following his team’s 28-29 Challenge Cup defeat to Oyonnax in Round Four.
Just days after Munier Hartzenberg was handed a two-week ban, Kasende has been suspended for three weeks.
The 28-year-old Kasende was yellow-carded by referee Anthony Woodthorpe (England) in the 12th minute for dangerous play, tackling a player in the air.
However, the wing was not cited for that offence, instead, EPCR confirmed that he was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Eric Jara Literas (Spain), for striking the Oyonnax No. 8, Loic Godener, with his forearm in a dangerous manner in the 54th minute, contravening Law 9.11.
Law 9.11 A player must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others, including leading with the elbow or forearm
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
*Story continues below…
The three-week suspension means that Kasende will return to play Monday, April 8.
However, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, April 1.
This will mean that the wing will be available for his team’s Challenge Cup Round of 16 tie against Clermont Auvergne on the weekend of April 6.
“An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising of Katherine Mackie [Scotland], Chair, Mirian Tavzarashvili [Georgia] and Tony Wheat [Ireland] studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from Kasende who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card,” an official EPCR statement read.
“The committee also heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Attie Heyns, from the Cheetahs Director of Rugby, Frans Steyn, from the Cheetahs Team Manager, Ashwell Rafferty, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
“The committee upheld the complaint finding that Kasende had recklessly struck Godener in the neck with a leading forearm that warranted a red card and it determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“Taking into account his acceptance that his actions amounted to foul play and his clear disciplinary record, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent before imposing a three-week suspension.”
Meanwhile, Lions hooker PJ Botha escape punishment after his citing complaint was dismissed.
The hooker received a yellow card in the fifth minute by referee Jeremy Rozier (France) for allegedly striking the Ospreys’ back row, Harri Deaves in the Challenge Cup Round Four match at Ellis Park.
Botha was alleged to have contravened Law 9.12.
Law 9.12 Striking with the hand, arm, elbow or shoulder
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 striking with the hand, arm, elbow or shoulder carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Matt O’Grady (England), Chair, Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Becky Essex (England) studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from Botha who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.
The committee also heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Adrian Montzinger, from the Lions Head of Rugby Operations, Tracy van Ginkel, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee found that Botha had committed an act of foul play, however, it decided that the offence did not warrant a red card, and the citing complaint was therefore dismissed.
Botha is free to play immediately and EPCR has the right to appeal the decision.
*Story continues below…
*In the other cases, Exeter Chiefs’ Joe Hawkins has been suspended for three weeks following his red card during the Champions Cup, Round Four match against Aviron Bayonnais at Stade Jean-Dauger.
Scotland and Edinburgh second row, Grant Gilchrist, has been suspended for one week after his two yellow cards during the Challenge Cup, Round Four match against the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets.
The Oyonnax prop Irakli Mirtskhulava, has been suspended for three weeks following his dangerous tackle on Cheetahs’ second row, Rynier Bernardo during the Challenge Cup, Round Four match at Stade Charles-Mathon.
