Ta'avao given three-week ban for red card

Wed, 13/07/2022, 6:50 am
AAP


Angus Ta'avao has been banned for three weeks following his red card in the the All Blacks' 23-12 defeat by Ireland.

World Rugby announced his punishment on Tuesday.

Ta'avao was sent off in the 31st minute in Dunedin after he clattered head-first into Ireland centre Garry Ringrose.

Both players were hurt in the incident and Ringrose had to be replaced.

The 32-year-old prop had only been on the field for a matter of minutes, having come on as front-row cover for Ofa Tu'ungafasi, who had been sent to the sin-bin.

Applying World Rugby guidelines, an independent judicial committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks, which was halved taking into consideration the player's "excellent disciplinary record".

Ta'avao admitted he committed an act of foul play but maintained a red card was not warranted due to the presence of mitigating factors.

He has the right to appeal the outcome of the independent disciplinary hearing within 48 hours.

World Rugby also said the sanction could be cut to two weeks if Ta'avao completes the its coaching intervention programme.

Ireland's victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium was their first over the three-time world champions on New Zealand soil.

The All Blacks face Ireland in the series decider on Saturday in Wellington. The series is level at 1-1.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/all-bl...d-card-2022712

Accidental head clash gets more than a deliberate headbutt.

Welcome to the lottery that is the World Rugby disciplinary process.

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Originally Posted by jargan83

Accidental head clash gets more than a deliberate headbutt.

Welcome to the lottery that is the World Rugby disciplinary process.

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I thought Swain's offense was low grade - as much a shoulder shove as a head butt. Until I saw the reverse angle. I know force of contact is a factor. I also thought intent would carry a lot more weight. It explains Swain's light sanction but makes the punishment of an accident look inconsistent - at best. :confused:

Re swain, it becomes a very different offence if you apply head contact protocols.

Law says striking with the head is a red card, no mitigation, nothing. I think this is reasonable as it's a very different act to tackling high and whacking the head through recklessness or incompetence.

If, however, you apply the head contact protocol you'd have to judge the contact as low force and you could argue chest contact with shoulder before head contact. That would give it an entry point of yellow (in some eyes) with clearly no mitigation.

Basically, roll a dice.

If an accidental head clash warrants a three week ban we better watch out! Just imagine when two Wobblies run into each other an bang heads, two too the bin straight away. Hooper slaps his head at the diabolical call and gets sent for HIA! I could go on.