Auckland Super rugby team the Blues will contest the next four weeks of super rugby without winger Tanielu Tele’a after he was suspended for four weeks.
The winger was red-carded in the the Blues 24-9 victory at Eden Park on Saturday and has subsequently faced a The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee.
As per Sanzaar rules for the matter to be dispensed with at the hearing, Tele’a had to plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Tanielu Tele’a of the Blues for contravening Law 9.17: A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.
Tele’a has been suspended from all forms of the game for 4 weeks, up to and including 4 May 2019.
The incident occurred in the 69th minute of the match between the Blues and Stormers played at Eden Park in Auckland on 30 March 2019.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Eroni Clarke assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:
“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, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.17.”
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 8 weeks due to the reckless actions of the Player placing his vulnerable opponent in an extremely dangerous position with the potential to cause significant injury. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s good Judicial record and the fact the Player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 4 weeks.”
“The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including 4 May 2019.”
All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
Foul Play Review Committee: Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Eroni Clarke and Stefan Terblanche
Player: Tanielu Tele’a
Team: Blues
Position: Wing
Date of Incident: 30 March 2019
Nature of Offence: Law 9.17: A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.
Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 69:06
