Hurricane halfback Tyson Keats banned for four weeks – Super Rugby updates
Hurricane halfback Tyson Keats has been banned by SANZAR for four weeks after he made a dangerous tackle against Blues player, Alby Mathewson, during Friday’s fixture. The halfback can now play a maximum of two more games in the current Super Rugby competition. Tyson Keats was asked to appear before the SANZAR judiciary panel today morning, where he received the punishment after the panel found him guilty.
Keats was accused of spear or tip tackling which is considered a very odd and dangerous foul in rugby. In such a case, a player lifts his opponent in the air and strikes him down on the ground. He was sin-binned with a yellow card for his foul play and later on the case was sent to the judiciary panel of SANZAR.
The SANZAR judicial officer, Nick Davidson, probed into the matter and called the execution very poor and reckless. The statement issued by the penal reads that, "Davidson reiterated that the IRB had called for vigilance in eliminating the tip tackle from the game as its danger was immense. He added that such disciplinary recourse was necessary to act as a deterrent to players".
The suspension of Keats has added injury to Hurricanes insult as he tried to score the 61st try for his side. Keats went wild in the last moments of the game and desperately tried to add some points to his team’s total and hurt the opponent severely.
After the announcement of his suspension Keats owned the decision and said that he had a fair hearing. He added, ''I've talked to Alby in person and I've apologised. As a result I've been suspended for four weeks including the bye, so I just have to focus getting back on the field.''
Keats will however miss three matches respectively against the Highlanders, the Force and the Lions as Hurricanes have a bye during this suspension period. However the halfback will be available for the rest of the two games for Hurricanes in this Super Rugby season.
The injured halfback Piri Weepu is expected to replace Keats in their upcoming match against the Highlanders on 13th May.
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