Callan cleared as Savea prepares to learn fate
Tue, Mar 7, 2023, 7:29 AM
Nathan Williamson
Force and Reds match up for the final game of Super Round at AAMI Park, Melbourne.
The Western Force have received a boost with Ollie Callan's avoiding suspension following their 71-20 defeat to the Queensland Reds.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes face a nervous wait with Ardie Savea to have his case heard on Tuesday after his controversial gesture.
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Callan's high shot was upgraded from yellow to a red card after collecting Reds winger Filipo Daugunu high during the second half in Melbourne.
He has been issued a warning and cleared to play against Moana Pasifika on Saturday, with the Foul Play Review Committee deeming it just below the red card threshold on account of Daugunu's sudden and late change of direction.
"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, Michael Tudori, the Foul Play Review Committee found the foul play did not breach the Red Card threshold," Foul Play Review Committee Chair Michael Heron KC ruled.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a Warning as it was close to, but did not breach the Red Card threshold.
"The Foul Play Review Committee deemed that the significant mitigating factors, including the ball carrier's sudden and late change of direction and additional players being involved within the tackle, mitigated the sanction to a Warning." "The player is therefore free to resume playing.”
It comes at the perfect time for the Force, who will miss Michael Wells and Jeremy Williams following their failed HIAs.
As for Savea, he faces a hearing Tuesday evening (AEDT time) following his gesture towards Rebels scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens in their narrow win at AAMI Park.
"Following initial consideration by the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee, Ardie Savea of the Hurricanes will appear at a SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing after being cited for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby Pacific match at the weekend," a SANZAAR statement said.
"Savea is alleged to have contravened Law 9.27: A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship, during the match between the Rebels and Hurricanes at AAMI Park in Melbourne on 3 March 2023."
The Hurricanes will be without Tevita Mafileo for the next three games after his dangerous cleanout on Richard Hardwick.
"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 act of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or the neck shall result in at least a mid-range sanction"," they added.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's clean judicial record and pleading guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/callan...diciary-202336
