Rebels star gets three-week Super ban

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels lock Ross Haylett-Petty has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle during their tight Super Rugby AU win over the Western Force.

Haylett-Petty was red-carded late in the match, with the 14-man Rebels managing to hang on for a 10-7 victory.

Haylett-Petty struck Force substitute Tomas Lezana in the head with his shoulder as he went in to tackle.

He will miss Friday’s AAMI Park clash with the Waratahs followed by a clash with the Queensland Reds and then a home meeting with the Force.

See SANZAAR’s full statement below:

Ross Haylett-Petty suspended for 3 weeks

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Ross Haylett-Petty of the Rebels for contravening Law 9.13: Dangerous Tackling, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby AU Match at the Weekend.

Haylett-Petty has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including Friday 9 April 2021.

The incident occurred in the 69th minute of the match between the Force and Rebels played at HBF Park in Perth on 12 March 2021.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Mike Mika assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC 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 his legal representative, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13.”

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s good judicial record and pleading guilty at his first available opportunity the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended from all forms of the game up to and including 9 April 2021. This includes the following fixtures:
Super Rugby AU Round 5: Rebels v Waratahs 19 March 2021
Super Rugby AU Round 7: Rebels v Reds 3 April 2021
Super Rugby AU Round 8 Rebels v Force 9 April 2021

The Rebels have a scheduled bye in Round 6 which does not count as a week for sanctioning purposes.”

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.