Blues duo in hot water
NEWS: Two Blues players have been cited for foul play during the Blues’ 27-43 loss to the Crusaders at Eden Park on Sunday.
According to a SANZAAR statement, prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi “is alleged to have contravened Law 9.12 Striking with shoulder”, during the match in Auckland.
Meanwhile, hooker Kurt Ecklund “is alleged to have contravened Law 9.18 a player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground”.
Both players face judicial hearings on Monday, and could miss Saturday’s game against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
See below for SANZAAR’s statement:
OFA TU’UNGAFASU CITED
Player: Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Team: Blues
Position: Prop
Date of Incident: 21 March 2021
Nature of Offence: Law 9.12 A player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to: Striking with shoulder
Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 74:29
Ofa Tu’ungafasi of the Blues has been cited for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby Aotearoa match at the weekend.
Tu’ungafasi is alleged to have contravened Law 9.12 Striking with shoulder, during the match between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park in Auckland on 21 March 2021.
Upon further review of the match footage, the Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the Red Card threshold for foul play.
The Case is to be considered in the first instance by the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee which will take place on Monday 22 March 2021, 7pm(NZDT) via video-conference.
All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
KURT ECKLUND CITED
Player: Kurt Ecklund
Team: Blues
Position: Hooker
Date of Incident: 21 March 2021
Nature of Offence: Law 9 18: a player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.
Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 67:20
Kurt Ecklund of the Blues has been cited for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby Aotearoa match at the weekend.
Ecklund is alleged to have contravened Law 9.18 a player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground, during the match between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park in Auckland on 21 March 2021.
Upon further review of the match footage, the Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the Red Card threshold for foul play.
The Case is to be considered in the first instance by the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee which will take place on Monday 22 March 2021, 7pm(NZDT) via video-conference.
All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
