Damian McKenzie suspended for 3 weeks
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Trans Tasman Match at the Weekend.
McKenzie has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including 19 June 2021.
The incident occurred in the 21st minute of the Super Rugby Trans Tasman round 3 match between the Reds and Chiefs played at QLD Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on 29 May 2021.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Mike Mika and Stefan Terblanche assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13."
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's good judicial record and pleading guilty at his first available opportunity the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."
"The player is therefore suspended from all forms of the game up to and including 19 June 2021. This includes the following fixtures:
• Super Rugby Trans Tasman Rd 4 - Chiefs v Rebels 6 June 2021
• Super Rugby Trans Tasman Rd 5 - Waratahs v Chiefs 12 June 2021
• Super Rugby Trans Tasman Final - 19 June 2021
The Player is be suspended from all forms of the game up to and including 19 June 2021."
All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
