Reds' season rocked by two key suspensions

[The InnFORCEr]

Trevor Marshallsea
AAP
April 15, 2024 8:46PM


The Queensland Reds' troubled Super Rugby Pacific campaign has been further rocked by three-week suspensions for captain Tate McDermott and his fellow Wallaby Fraser McReight.

After a third straight loss on Sunday against Moana Pasifika, McDermott was outed by the Super Rugby Pacific foul play review committee (FPRC) after receiving a red card for striking Irie Papuni with a swinging arm while bringing him to ground in a tackle.

McReight was suspended for a high tackle on William Havili later in Queensland's 17-14 defeat in Whangarei.

The two Wallabies' bans could not have come at a worse time for Les Kiss's outfit, reeling from successive losses to the Western Force, the ACT Brumbies, and Moana Pasifika.

In its findings, the FPRC said the "entry point" of suspensions for McDermott's offence was six weeks, assessed as "mid-range for intentional and deliberate physical abuse of striking with arm to the side of the victim player's head where the victim player was in an vulnerable position with limited ability, if any, to defend himself".

McDermott was, however, given a three-week "discount" for an early guilty plea, and other mitigating factors including remorse and a prior exemplary disciplinary record.

Of McReight's hit, the FPRC said: "The FPRC was concerned by the 'upright nature of the tackle' and determined that it was an 'always illegal' act of foul play.

"In those circumstances mitigation would not apply," it said in a statement.

The suspensions for both Reds extend up to and including May 4, meaning they can not play in that day's fixture against the Crusaders, but can return against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday, May 10.

Queensland have now slid to sixth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, going from 3-1 to 3-4.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ru...ons-c-14324124

[The InnFORCEr]

Now comparing the recent suspensions last week and this week with what Markey faced week one and he certainly was hard done by with 4 weeks.

[Leo86]

I haven't seen Tate's tackle l but is there any comparison to Toole's tackle on Potter that was "nothing to see here"?

Also tongue in cheek, who is the FPRC. The Reds next 3 weeks is against kiwi sides.

[Tazzmania]

Now comparing the recent suspensions last week and this week with what Markey faced week one and he certainly was hard done by with 4 weeks.

I think Marley was a second offence, the first one in the U20 World Cup last year, where I think he got three.

[SteveWA]

Now comparing the recent suspensions last week and this week with what Markey faced week one and he certainly was hard done by with 4 weeks.

Marley got 6 weeks and it was reduced by 2 for an early guilty plea.

[shasta]

I haven't seen Tate's tackle l but is there any comparison to Toole's tackle on Potter that was "nothing to see here"?

Also tongue in cheek, who is the FPRC. The Reds next 3 weeks is against kiwi sides.

Tate can consider himself lucky getting a 50% reduction to for admitting the bleeding obvious. It was deliberate act of f@ckwittery. How that equates to McReight's accidental incident is a mystery. Like so many others.

[GIGS20]

Now comparing the recent suspensions last week and this week with what Markey faced week one and he certainly was hard done by with 4 weeks.

McReight should have said he was attempting a headbutt.

Would have got off with two weeks

[Burgs]

Keeps getting worse for the Reds, Uru out for 4-6 weeks following thumb surgery.
Takes away the option to move him to the Backrow to cover the absence of McReight.

[Burgs]

Keeps getting worse for the Reds, Uru out for 4-6 weeks following thumb surgery.
Takes away the option to move him to the Backrow to cover the absence of McReight.

"and centre Josh Flook (shoulder) also in doubt..."

[blueandblack]

I haven't seen Tate's tackle l but is there any comparison to Toole's tackle on Potter that was "nothing to see here"?

Also tongue in cheek, who is the FPRC. The Reds next 3 weeks is against kiwi sides.

Tate can consider himself lucky getting a 50% reduction to for admitting the bleeding obvious. It was deliberate act of f@ckwittery. How that equates to McReight's accidental incident is a mystery. Like so many others.

Tate could very well transition to AEW or WWE with his swinging arm