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Samoa's Vaeluaga suspended for one match
(Rugby News Service) Wednesday 12 September 2007
12 September - Samoa's Alfie Vaeluaga was cited to appear before judicial officer Terry Willis for alleged breaches of Law 10.4(e) for a dangerous tackle on South Africa full back Percy Montgomery during the Samoa v South Africa match in Paris on Sunday, 9 September.
The player pleaded guilty and submitted that he did not intend to execute a dangerous tackle.
Montgomery was treated but not injured and played out the remainder of the game.
The JO determined the offence to be at the lower end of seriousness. There were no aggravating circumstances, however there were several mitigating factors, including his plea of guilty, his expression of sorrow and remorse for the incident and his good disciplinary record.
The JO heard that he had played 11 Tests for Samoa, 24 games for Bristol, 20 games for Plymouth and more than 20 games for Orrell and had not appeared before a disciplinary tribunal for seven years.
The entry point for a low-range offence is two matches. However, the JO decided in this case the suspension should be reduced to one match in light of the mitigating factors.
The player has 48 hours in which to appeal the decision.