Golden Lions flanker Michael Rhodes suspension reduced by a week – Rugby news
South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby (SANZAR) has reduced the suspension of the Lions flanker Michael Rhodes by a week. The SANZAR appeal committee announced the decision on Tuesday, June 14.
Rhodes was found guilty of a dangerous tackle on the Highlanders’ winger Siale Piutau. The incident occurred during the 59th minute of the May 28th Lions encounter against the Highlanders at Carisbrooke, Dunedin which the Lions won
29 – 26. Michael Rhodes used a dangerous headlock tackle on Siale Piutau to clear him at ruck that caused Piutau to retaliate. He returned the favour with two punches to Rhodes’ head.
After the May 28 game, both players were cited for their offence and were asked to appear before the SANZAR’s judicial hearing chaired by Judicial Officer Nick Davidson QC on May 30th.
SANZAR announced the decision a day later on May 31, in which Davidson termed Rhodes’ actions as a violation of International Rugby Board (IRB) law 10.4 (e) that related to the dangerous tackle around the neck and above the shoulder region. Davidson categorized
the offence as a mid-level offence and handed over a six weeks suspension to Rhodes while he cleared Siale Piutau from all charges.
Rhodes’ filed an appeal against the sanction within three days of the announcement of the six weeks ban but also requested to delay the hearing until the lions Australasia tour was completed. On June 10, SANZAR announced June 14 as the hearing date and listed
the members of the appeal review committee.
SANZAR appeal review committee held its hearing on Tuesday June 14, via teleconference. Nigel Hampton QC of New Zealand chaired the committee, while Terry Willis from Australia and Jannie Lubbe SC from South Africa were the other two members of the committee.
Lions flanker Rhodes' legal counsel appealed that the length of the suspension should be reduced from the six weeks ban to the four weeks ban. However, at the end of the hearing SANZAR appeal review committee considering all the circumstances has reduced
the suspension to the five weeks.
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