Fourie on Tshituka's ban: 'It's massive'
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Lions loose forward Emmanuel Tshituka has been suspended for three weeks.
The flank faced an independent Disciplinary Hearing on Monday following the Lions’ Challenge Cup, Round of 16 match against Racing 92 at Ellis Park.
Tshituka was sent off by the referee, Karl Dickson (England), in the 18th minute of the match for striking the Racing 92 fullback Louis Dupichot with his forearm in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.11.
The suspension means the 22-year-old, who has become a vital cog for the squad, will miss the crucial Challenge Cup quarterfinal match against Glasgow Warriors.
However, the Lions’ defence coach Jacque Fourie is confident that the side has a suitable replacement in the form of Jaco Kriel.
“Emmanual has been playing very well and to lose a guy like that is massive,” Fourie said.
“But I think the next guy that slots in, Jaco Kriel, is going to do just as good.
“Like I said it’s bad for Tshituka, however, it’s an opportunity for someone else to stick their hand up again.”
#SquadAnnouncement: @LionsRugbyCo bring in some big names in absence of Emmanuel Tshituka#rugby #news #Sports @GlasgowWarriors https://t.co/hKNsYyA6P6
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The EPCR revealed that the independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Samantha Hillas KC (England), Chair, Mitchell Read (England) and Yannick Jauzion (France), heard submissions by video conference from Tshituka, from the player’s legal representative, Marius Botha, from the Lions Team Manager, Tracy van Ginkel, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that Tshituka had been guilty of a reckless act of foul play. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his timely apology to Dupichot, the committee reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.
Tshituka is free to play on Monday, April 24, however, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, April 17.
*Law 9.11 Reckless or dangerous play – leading with the elbow or forearm.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 relating to dangerous play, leading with the forearm, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks
