One week off for stamping Stirzaker

 

Stirzaker was cited after receiving a yellow card in the Rebels' opening round victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch.

 

The Duty Judicial Officer, Nicholas Davidson assessed the case and recorded:

 

"I took into account that the player admitted stamping which was accepted as reckless to the point of contact.

 

"I found the breach was clear on the evidence as the player paused and lifted his leg high, before applying a vertical stamp to the groin area, for which he had no tenable excuse or explanation.

 

"Crusaders No.6 suffered minor grazing but was able to play on. Had injury of any consequence resulted, then the entry point for sanction would have been at least mid-range.

 

"The player has good disciplinary record and thus is entitled to a discount of one week from the two-week lower-end entry point, which results in a suspension of one week, up to and including Sunday 22 February 2015," he added.