Dunning escapes suspension

[Tazzmania]

New Western Force prop Matt Dunning is available for the start of the Super 14 season after escaping suspension for punching an opponent during a pre-season fixture.

Dunning, making his Force debut, was thrown into the fray in the 60th minute of the Force's 54-12 loss to the Stormers in front of around 18,000 fans in Cape Town on Saturday night.

But the 31-year-old Wallabies prop, who signed on with the Force for the 2010 season after 99 games with New South Wales Waratahs, lasted just 15 minutes before he was shown a red card for punching an opponent.

Stormers forward Jacque Potgieter was also shown a red card for his involvement in the fracas.

Dunning fronted a judiciary on Monday and pleaded guilty to striking.

But he escaped suspension after the judiciary deemed the red card handed out on the night was punishment enough, freeing him for Tuesday's practice match against the Sharks in Cape Town.

He will also be available for the Force's final pre-season hit-out against Queensland Reds on February 5 and the Super 14 season opener against the Brumbies on February 12.

The Force fielded a youthful squad against a near full-strength Stormers outfit and were duly put to the sword, with the South African side running in seven tries to two.

Wallabies Ryan Cross, David Pocock, James O'Connor, Nathan Sharpe and Cameron Shepherd only came on midway through the second half but are likely to spend more than half the game on the park when the Force unleash a stronger squad for the match against the Sharks on Tuesday.

Source

[Burgs]

"the judiciary deemed the red card handed out on the night was punishment enough"
Does that translate as even though he fronted up to the charge the bloke deserved what he got?

[slomo]

good good....

[pieter blackie]

Live to fight another day

Keep it up Matt do not allow the South Africans to mess with you. Respect is earned in SA not given away at the corner shop

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Fatty will be good, either on the field or as a mentor for the engine room.
Jesus H Christ, we have ben soft! Time to get on the front foot and show some cojones.

[fulvio sammut]

Now if we could only explain thie merits of this penalty to the Judge Jeffreys of the RugbyWA tribunal.

[jono]

was that the first card to be handed out to a force player in a force jersey?

[robyn <3]

was that the first card to be handed out to a force player in a force jersey?

First red, as far as I remember. But we've have at least one yellow - Pocock got in 08 against the reds. But apart from that, I can't recall any others

[jono]

i'm pretty sure its the first red...
if only i had my memberhsip pack, the magazine breaks it down for us

[Burgs]

Can't see that list in mine, go to the newsagent you tightarse

[mudskipper]

it must have been a pink card... As the Judiciary interpretation is a little soft... Reds red... its should be at least a minimum one match suspension for both men… Well it looks like Dunnings luck has changed perhaps that's a good thing for the Force…

[Thequeerone]

Was it a Saffer Judiciary perhaps that was the difference

[James]

Was it a Saffer Judiciary perhaps that was the difference

Dunning probably showed some titty. Confused the judge. Not hard with the South Africans