Phoenix doesn't get burnt
A SANZAR Judicial Hearing has found Western Force lock Phoenix Battye not guilty of a spear tackle during the 45-19 Super Rugby victory over the Reds on Saturday.
Battye was alleged to have made the dangerous tackle on Reds scrumhalf Will Genia.
The SANZAR Judicial Hearing held via videoconference on Monday, April 2 was heard by Paul Tully, with no sanction imposed on the player.
In considering the matter, new evidence was presented by the Western Force that was not available to the Citing Commissioner.
This evidence showed that despite Battye lifting Will Genia, he neither dropped nor drove Genia's head or upper body into the ground. The evidence demonstrated in fact he was protecting the player by bracing himself with his arms and knees so as to prevent the potential for injury to the player. In the end the tackle could not be seen as dangerous as required by the law for the Citing to be upheld.
