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Tue, Feb 27, 2024, 1:11 PM
Ben Somerford
The Western Force accepts the four-game suspension handed to Marley Pearce for foul play. After consultation with legal counsel and the player, the Club opted against an appeal.
SANZAAR NEWS RELEASE
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has found Marley Pearce of Western Force guilty of contravening Law 9.13 "A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously", after Pearce was cited following a Super Rugby Pacific Match last weekend.
Pearce has been suspended from all forms of the game up to and including 23 March 2024.
The incident occurred in the 51st minute of the match between the Western Force and Hurricanes played at HBF Stadium in Perth on 23 February 2024.
The Foul Play Review Committee comprised of Stephen Hardy (Chairperson), Ofisa Tonu’u and Stefan Terblanche assessed the case.
In his finding, the FPRC Chairperson Stephen Hardy ruled as follows:
"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 upheld the citing under Law 9.13."
"Following the World Rugby Head Contact Process, the FPRC assessed the Player's actions as including direct head contact, at high speed, in dynamic play with the player leading with his head and colliding with a high degree of force, and his body position moving up and forward into the collision. There was no mitigation identified sufficient to downgrade the offence below a red card.”
"The entry point for the offence was 6 weeks (as it was assessed as mid range in line with World Rugby’s mandate). The player was given a discount for an early guilty plea reducing the suspension from 6 weeks to 4 weeks. The player is therefore suspended up to and including 23 March 2024.”
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Sounds like the penalty you would give to a repeat offender to me?
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I have a simple question.
If it was considered Head on Head contact - and I have no argument with that.
Why wasn't Jordy Barrett sent from the field for a HIA?
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa