SANZAR hands over two-week ban to Waratahs’ lock Kane Douglas – Rugby Union news
South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby (SANZAR) has dealt out a two-week ban to the New South Wales Waratahs lock Kane Douglas for his dangerous tackle on Blues Bulls centre Wynand Olivier. SANZAR officials have confirmed the disciplinary action against Douglas in a statement released after his hearing on Saturday, June 4 at Pretoria.
Bulls were hosting the Waratahs at Loftus Versfeld Pretoria during the round 16 matches of the 2011 Super Rugby championship on Friday, June 3.
The incident occurred during the 38th minute of Friday’s game. The scorecard read six-all when the assistant referee reported a dangerous high tackle by Douglas on Olivier. The Bulls were awarded the penalty on which they capitalised big time to take the lead in the match and thereon control the all-important match.
On field referee for the match, Craig Joubert, did not show any card to Douglas for the offence during the match. At the end of the match, the SANZAR citing commissioner cited the incident and termed it as dangerous. Earlier on Friday, Kane grabbed Bulls centre Olivier in a headlock and flipped him over. The move without any doubt placed Olivier’s head and neck at risk.
Waratahs lock Douglas was charged with violating the International Rugby Board (IRB) law 10.4 (e) dangerous tackling of a player above the shoulders and around the neck region; and law 10.4 (m) an act contrary to good sportsmanship.
On June 4, Douglas appeared before the SANZAR Judicial Officers panel chaired by SANZAR Judicial Officer, Jannie Lubbe SC, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. SANZAR officials released a detailed judgment in a statement shortly after the hearing, particularly as the Waratahs had to leave for Australia later in the evening.
SANZAR Judicial Officer, Jannie Lubbe, found Waratahs’ lock Kane Douglas guilty after he failed to justify his actions. Lubbe handed Douglas a two-week ban from the game, which is the lowest minimum for such dangerous offences.
Lubbe has reiterated the IRB’s zero tolerance policy over head and neck related tackles. These tackles can very easily result in serious life and career threatening injuries and the game’s international body is doing its best to clear the game from such harmful tackles.
Meanwhile, the ban will keep out the Maclean born Douglas from one of the two remaining round matches in the season. Douglas’ ban will be lifted on 17 June, which will clear him to play for Waratahs in their last round game of the season against the Brumbies on June 18, at the Aussies Stadium.
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