Ah Wong gets off with warning after red card

NEWS: Nigel Ah Wong of Moana Pasifika has been issued a warning after a no-arms tackle in the game against Fijian Drua in a Super Rugby Pacific game over the weekend resulted in a red card.

Moana Pasifika managed to hold on with 13 players to beat the Fijian Drua 39-36 in the first match of the season between the Pacific island teams after Ah Wong’s red card and a yellow to Sekope Kepu.

The Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee reviewed the red card awarded to Ah Wong for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, during a Super Rugby Pacific Match at the Weekend.

Ah Wong has been issued with a Warning for his actions. A Warning may be issued by the Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee for foul play incidents that are very close to, but in their opinion do not meet the Red Card threshold.

The incident occurred in the 53rd minute of the match between Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua in Melbourne on March 2.

The Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee of Stephen Hardy (Chair), Stefan Terblanche and Ofisa Tonu’u assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chair Stephen Hardy ruled the following:

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee found the foul play did not breach the Red Card threshold.”

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a Warning as it was close to, but did not breach the Red Card threshold.”

“In light of the above, the red card will be removed from the Player’s record and it will be replaced with a Warning sanction for the offence which will remain on the Player’s record.”

“The player is therefore free to resume playing.”