SANZAR hands out four-weeks ban to Tyson Keats for tackle on Alby Mathewson – Rugby news
Tyson Keats got a four-week suspension for a tip tackle he made against the Blues scrum half, Alby Mathewson, during the 63rd minute of the game played on Friday, May 6, at Wellington.
Keats was shown a yellow card in the game during the 63rd minute of the game. However, on Saturday, May 7, SANZAR officials cited him for the dangerous tip tackle. Keats appeared before the judicial hearing chaired by SANZAR Judicial Officer,
Nick Davidson QC, today at 13:00 hrs.
During last Friday’s super xv encounter between the Blues and Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium, Keats took the field by substituting for Chris Eaton in the 61st minute of the game. He did not last long on the field and during the 63rd
minute, he was sin binned for 10 minutes for his tip tackle on the Blues player.
Blues were trailing at that point in time but seized the opportunity as Hurricanes were playing a man down. Blues scored the match winning eight points in span of just four minutes to deliver Hurricanes a knockout punch.
Blues scrum half, Alby Mathewson, confirmed after the match that Keats tackle was not intentional. He said, “Halfbacks are quite low so it's easy to get underneath a player. It's not that hard to lift a 100 kilo guy so there is no malice in it."
SANZAR Judicial officer Nick Davidson in his statement confirmed that the tackle was "not premeditated". However, this was not enough for Keats to save him from the possible suspension, as the tackle was still dangerous.
Nick Davidson commented on the violation and said that the tackle was dangerous and its execution was improper. He further added that although the tackle by Keats was unintentional still it is very hard to ignore the danger it can cause to players.
He further said, "IRB had called for vigilance in eliminating the tip tackle from the game as its danger was immense.”.
Keats can consider the past few days of the Super XV as his poorest in the season for a number of reasons. First he was sin binned which allowed Blues to come back into the game and take the lead. Secondly, during the last minute of the game he dropped the
ball over the line while trying to score. If he had scored on the try, Hurricanes still had a chance of winning the game on the conversion.
The ban has ruled Keats out of the Hurricanes squad from three of their remaining five Super Rugby games this season.
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