Chiefs prop learns his fate after red card

NEWS: Chiefs prop Jared Proffit has been suspended for three weeks for foul play.

The SANZAAR Judicial Committee has found Proffit guilty of contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after receiving a red card during a Super Rugby Pacific match at the weekend.

Proffit has been suspended from all forms of the game up to and including March 23.

The incident occurred in the 76th minute of the match between the Chiefs and Brumbies at in Melbourne.

The Judicial Committee (Committee) comprised Nigel Hampton (Chair), Mike Mika and John Langford who assessed the case.

In his finding, the Judicial Committee Chair, Hampton KC, 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 Judicial Committee upheld the red card given to the player under Law 9.13.

“With respect to sanction, the Judicial Committee considered the act of foul play to be reckless and did not find the player’s action intentional. Following the World Rugby Head Contact Process [HCP], the Committee assessed the player’s body position as being upright into the collision with the opposing player, he having been wrong-footed by the opposing player but still carrying through with his tackle and making direct forceful contact with the opposing player’s face, causing a significant laceration to that player’s lip.

“The Judicial Committee thoroughly considered all factors of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process and sanctioning table and concluded that the foul play warranted a mid-range entry point of six weeks. After taking into account mitigating factors such as the player’s admissions of responsibility, his remorse, disciplinary history, and conduct throughout the hearing, the sanction was reduced to three weeks.

“The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including 23 March 2024.

“The Judicial Committee also confirmed that, after reviewing the incident and the player’s record, the player is eligible to apply for the ‘Head Contact Process—Coaching Intervention’ with World Rugby.”