Rebels prop Taniela Tupou in doubt for finals after citing

[Burgs]

Mon, May 27, 2024, 8:02 AM
Nathan Williamson

The Melbourne Rebels have been dealt a major blow with Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou cited by the Judiciary after their defeat to the Brumbies.

Tupou was cited for an incident in the 65th minute of Friday's 53-17 loss in Canberra after cleaning out Darcy Swain high. (The bastard, "our Darcy"!)

The incident left the lock holding his neck on the ground and was unpunished during the game.

However, the Judiciary found that it meant the red card threshold and he will learn his fate in the coming days.

"Taniela Tupou of the Rebels has been cited for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby Pacific match at the weekend," the citing statement read.

"Tupou is alleged to have contravened Law 9.20: Dangerous play in a ruck or maul, during the match between the Brumbies and Rebels at GIO Stadium in Canberra on 24 May 2024.

"Upon further review of the match footage, the Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the Red Card threshold for foul play."

The Wallaby was only just making his return after missing last week's defeat to the Chiefs with a concussion.

A low-range charge would likely see Tupou receive up to three weeks, ruling him out of the Rebels' maiden quarter-final.

The Rebels sit in sixth, with the Western Force's defeat to the ACT Brumbies securing their spot in the finals

Tupou was not the only player cited out of the weekend, with title contenders Blues and Hurricanes also facing a nervous wait after Adrian Choat and Raymond Tuputupu were cited.

[Sheikh]

It's not like Tupou can claim it's the first time, either. He's got form in poor tackling.

[GIGS20]

It's not like Tupou can claim it's the first time, either. He's got form in poor tackling.

How many times has he been cited for that exact offence though?

I don't know the answer, but that seems to be the metric.

[jargan83]

Probably did it deliberately because he's checked out of the Rebels given their situation.

[The InnFORCEr]

Rebels prop Taniela Tupou cleared to face Drua after dangerous cleanout citing
Tue, May 28, 2024, 6:23 AM
Nathan Williamson


Melbourne Rebels prop Taniela Tupou has escaped with a warning after his dangerous cleanout during their defeat to the Brumbies.

Tupou was cited by the SANZAAR Judiciary Committee after launching himself into ACT lock Darcy Swain during the 53-17 defeat.

It left the Wallaby on the ground, with the tighthead prop not sanctioned on the field for the incident.

Tupou had his case heard on Monday, with the prop facing a potential three-match ban for his actions.

However, the Judicial Committee found the foul play did not breach the red card threshold after review of the footage showed no contact with the head.

"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, Harry Forrester, the Foul Play Review Committee found the foul play did not reach the Red Card threshold," they 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 reach the Red Card threshold.

“Fortunately, no head contact or significant injury resulted from the incident. Had there been head contact and/or a more severe injury, the outcome may well have been a different one for the Player.

"In light of the above, the citing was dismissed with a Warning sanction imposed on the Player for the offence which will remain on the Player’s record."

It clears the 28-year-old to play on Saturday against the Fijian Drua and next week's finals season.

Rebels flyhalf Carter Gordon is also expected back in the side after his concussion in their narrow defeat to the Chiefs.

Gordon passed the on-field test and returned to the field but registered symptoms after the game.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/rebels...eanout-2024527