Sharks duo get four-week bans, despite 'discounts'

NEWS: The United Rugby Championship disciplinary process has come down hard on two Sharks players – banning both for four weeks.

Lock Hyron Andrews Red Card and No.8 George Cronje were both cited for a dangerous clean-out in their URC Round Four loss (10-12) to Zebre in Parma last Friday.

Andrews was red-carded by referee Peter Martin for his part in the spear/tip-type clean-out of an opponent in the 77th minute of the game.

Cronje was cited post-match for involvement in the same clear-out.

Both Players were sanctioned under Law 9.18: A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

The Panel overseeing the disciplinary process – Declan Goodwin (Chairman, Wales), John Kirk (Scotland) and Mark Curran (Ireland) – found that the actions of both players met the red card threshold, with an entry of low-range, warranting six weeks.

The Players received two weeks’ mitigation due to their good records and an active part in the hearing, which resulted in a four-game suspension.

Fixtures Hyron Andrews & George Cronje are unavailable for:
Sharks v Connacht – November 18, URC
Sharks v Dragons – November 25, URC
Bulls v Sharks – December 2, URC
Sharks v Section Paloise – December 9, Challenge Cup

* Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors flyhalf Duncan Weir was cited and banned for three weeks for an act of foul play against Ospreys last Saturday.

The Citing Commissioner in charge reported the Warriors No.10 had committed an act of foul play in the 25th minute – 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 overseeing the disciplinary process – Sibonile Khoza (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche (both South Africa) and Kim Moloney (Ireland) – he accepted that he had committed an act of foul play.

The Panel found that the incident met the red card threshold, with an entry of mid-range warranting six games’ suspension.

However, the Panel reduced the suspension to three games due to the favourable mitigating factors a good record, an apology and played full active part in the hearing which resulted in a three-game suspension.

Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one game.

Fixtures Duncan Weir is unavailable for:
Glasgow Warriors v Benetton – November 18, URC
Glasgow Warriors ‘A’ v Edinburgh ‘A’ – November 24
Glasgow Warriors v Ulster – November 25, URC