Lions prop to miss key games after receiving ban
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Lions prop Conraad van Vuuren received a four-game ban for foul play in his team’s victory over the Stormers in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship.
Van Vuuren received a yellow card for a shoulder-to-head tackle in the 68th minute in the 24-10 win. However, it was soon upgraded to a red card after the bunker review system.
In the hearing, Judicial Officer Kathrine Mackie found that the incident met the “red card threshold”.
It means that Van Vuuren is unavailable for matches against Edinburgh, Dragons, Glasgow Warriors and Connacht in the URC.
However, should he complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, then the sanction will be reduced by one week.
See the full disciplinary statement below:
The Disciplinary process related to Conraad van Vuuren Red Card in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 12 game against DHL Stormers on Saturday, February 28 has resulted in a four-game suspension.
After an act of foul play by player No 18 (Conraad van Vuuren), referee Christopher Allison showed the Player a Red Card in the 68th minute of the game under 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.
In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Sheriff Kathrine Mackie), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Sheriff Mackie found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. The Player received two weeks mitigation due to acknowledgment of culpability, his apology and good conduct throughout the disciplinary process which results in a four-game suspension.
*Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.
Fixtures Conraad van Vuuren is unavailable for:
Lions v Edinburgh Rugby, Saturday, March 21, URC
Lions v Dragons RFC, Saturday, March 28, URC
Lions v Glasgow Warriors, Saturday, April 18, URC
Lions v Connacht Rugby, Saturday, April 25, URC
