SANZAR hands two-week ban to Cheetahs wing Ryno Benjamin for head-butting: Rugby news
Cheetahs will be without the services of their first choice winger, Ryno Benjamin, in two of their remaining three games during the 2011 Super Rugby Championships. On Monday May 23, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR) the official regulatory
body of Super Rugby, banned Benjamin from participating in two games following his head-butting incident during a Super Rugby match between Cheetahs and Melbourne Rebels at Bloemfontein on Saturday May 21.
Cheetahs were comfortably placed in the lead by 27 points when Benjamin made an unnecessary offence in the 74th minute of the game. Benjamin struck the Melbourne Rebels captain and centre Stirling Mortlock with his head. Mortlock retaliated as
both players received red and yellow cards respectively.
SANZAR officials cited the Benjamin for his head-butting incident on Sunday May 22. In a statement released by SANZAR officials Benjamin was asked to present himself in front of the SANZAR disciplinary hearing at the Free State Rugby Union offices in Bloemfontein
on Monday May 23.
On Monday, Benjamin appeared before the judicial hearing chaired by SANZAR Judicial officer Janne Lubbe SC. The 27-year-old Benjamin failed to impress upon the hearing that the referee’s action to show him a Red card were in-appropriate. The statement read,
“SANZAR Judicial officer Janne Lubbe SC found the player guilty on the basis that he did not persuade the Judiciary that the referee's reasons were incorrect for issuing a red card.”
The panel has handed over a two-week ban over the incident. This is a major blow for the Cheetahs who after a poor start to their season are in a position to take a place in the play-offs if they can maintain their four-match winning streak in their remaining
games. The ban has ruled Benjamin out of the Cheetahs starting line-up against the Bulls and Sharks. Cheetahs will host the Bulls and Sharks on May 28 and June 4 respectively.
Cheetahs currently are in ninth position in the combined tables with 34 points. They have won five out of the 13 games they have played in the season. They are trailing the Sharks and Bulls by 9 and 6 points who are in 7th and 8th position
respectively.
The 84 kg player will return for the Cheetahs in their last round match of the super rugby 2011 competition against the Stormers at Bloemfontein on Saturday June 18.
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