Benetton flyhalf cops ban for dangerous shot on Bok
NEWS: Benetton flyhalf Jacob Umaga has been handed a four-week suspension following his team’s United Rugby Championship defeat to the Sharks.
Umaga was red-carded in the 37th minute for a dangerous tackle on Makazole Mapimpi during the 7-46 defeat at Kings Park on Saturday.
The winger was forced off the field with the aid of a medical cart following the hit.
Umaga was initially handed a yellow card, which was upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
*READ: Julius hat-trick helps Sharks thrash hapless Benetton
On Wednesday, the Samoan appeared before a disciplinary committee, which deemed that he had committed an act of foul play and contravened Law 9.13: “A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders, even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”
Umaga accepted that he had committed an act of foul play warranting a red card.
The Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process Ben Rutherford found that the incident met the red-card threshold, with a mid-range entry point warranting a six-week suspension.
The player received three weeks’ mitigation (50%) due to his apology, acceptance of the red card and good conduct throughout the disciplinary process. However, due to his previous record, a further week was added, resulting in a four-game suspension.
Fixtures Jacob Umaga is unavailable for:
Bulls v Benetton, Saturday, May 16, URC
Samoa v Chile XV, Friendly, Tuesday, June 16*
Samoa v Hong Kong, Saturday, July 4, World Rugby Nations Cup
Samoa v Georgia, Saturday, July 11, World Rugby Nations Cup
