Sharks speedster in hot water, Evan's tackler is off the hook
DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Racing 92 hooker Feleti Kaitu’u will receive no punishment for his high shot on Evan Roos in last Saturday’s Champions Cup clash in Paris.
On Tuesday, European Profession Club Rugby (EPCR) unveiled a list of disciplinary hearings after last weekend’s final pool round and Kaitu’u’s name was missing from the list.
The incident happened when Roos was carrying the ball up from a ruck, with Racing prop Thomas Laclayat tackling him.
Kaitu’u comes charging in from an angle and with a tucked arm, his shoulder makes contact with Roos’ head.
The Bok loose forward completed the game, but afterwards sported some serious swelling. He was due to go for scans on a suspected fractured cheekbone.
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Meanwhile, Sharks fullback Hakeem Kunene could be unavailable for his side’s United Rugby Championship Round 10 clash against Cardiff in Wales on Saturday.
The 21-year-old was cited for a dangerous tackle on wing Arthur Retière in his side’s 10-66 defeat to French side Bordeaux-Begles.
The youngster received a yellow card for that incident in the 12th minute.
“EPCR has received a citing complaint against Sharks fullback Hakeem Kunene following the Champions Cup Round Four match between Union Bordeaux-Bègles and the Sharks at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday, January 19,” said an EPCR statement
“Kunene is alleged to have tackled the Union Bordeaux-Bègles wing, Arthur Retière [No.11], in a dangerous manner in the 12th minute of the match, in contravention of Law 9.13.
“The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Tim Lowry [Ireland].
“Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Under World Rugby’s sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points: Low-end – two weeks/matches; mid-range – six weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches.
“Gareth Graham [England, Chair], Donal Courtney [Ireland] and John Kirk [Scotland] have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing, which will take place by video conference on Wednesday, January 22.”
Bath’s Beno Obano will also appear before a disciplinary hearing after he received two yellow cards in his side’s defeat to Leinster in Dublin.
The first yellow card was received in the first half for dangerous tackling, the second yellow card came in the second half for repeated team offences.
The EPCR also received a citing complaint against Exeter Chiefs prop Will Goodrick-Clarke.
Goodrick-Clarke is alleged to have stamped on Ulster No.6 James McNabney in the 43rd minute of the match, in contravention of Law 9.12.
The case will be heard by a single Judicial Officer, Ben Rutherford (Ireland), on a papers-only basis.
