Lions’ flanker Michael Rhodes appeals his six-week suspension - Rugby news
South African Super Rugby franchise Lions’ flanker, Michael Rhodes, has appealed his six weeks suspension handed over by the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby (SANZAR) officials on May 31. Rhodes was found guilty
for his dangerous head tackle in the Lions oversees tour of Australasia during the 2011 Super Rugby competition.
Lions were playing against the Highlanders in the third of their four match schedule. The incident took place on the Australasia tour’s stop in Carisbrooke, Dunedin on Saturday, May 28. Lions ultimately won the match by defeating
the hosts 29 – 26 after their impressive second week comeback.
Rhodes was cited for his dangerous headlock on the Highlanders winger Siale Piutau. The incident occurred during the 59th minute of the May 28 games in which Michael Rhodes used a dangerous headlock tackle on Highlanders’
winger to clear him at ruck. Later, Piutau retaliated and landed two punches on the head of the Lions’ flanker that helped both players receive yellow cards.
The SANZAR citing commissioner cited both Rhodes and Piutau for the incident and instructed them to appear before the SANZAR’s judicial officer Nick Davidson QC on May 30. SANZAR officials released the result of the hearing
a day later on Tuesday, May 31.
Davidson found the actions of the Lions’ flanker Michael Rhodes in violation of the International Rugby Board law 10.4(e) that relates to dangerous tackling of a player without the ball. Davidson handed over a six-week suspension
to the flanker for his actions. The six-week suspension is given to fouls categorized as a mid level offence.
Rhodes appealed against the six-week suspension within the 48 hours of SANZAR official’s verdict. However, Rhodes and his representatives requested a delay in the hearing until the end of the Lions oversees tour.
Rhodes in his appeal did not contest the offence committed, rather he chose to appeal on the length of the ban. In a statement released by the SANZAR officials on Friday, June 10 it stated that the, “player will challenge the
length of the suspension handed down to him.”
SANZAR accepted the flankers requested and confirmed the new scheduled for the appeal hearing on Friday, June 10. SANZAR has instructed Rhodes to appear before the three member judicial panel chaired by Nigel Hampton QC of New
Zealand. Other panel members include Terry Willis from Australia and Jannie Lubbe SC from South Africa.
Michael Rhodes definitely should consider himself unlucky as other players in the same competition have been handed over a much lesser suspension for this serious type of incident. A recent example in this regard is the Sharks’ flanker, Jean Deysel, who
was handed over just a two-week ban for a similar sort of incident.
Tags: