Sharks Super rugby centre Jeremy Ward has been suspended for five weeks of rugby for a dangerous tackle against the Bulls.
As with all Sanzaar citings for the matter to be dispensed with at a hearing, Ward had to plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.
As a result the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Ward for contravening Law 9.18: A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground, after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.
Ward has been suspended from all forms of the game for 5 weeks, up to and including Friday 19 April 2019.
The incident occurred in the 13th minute of the match between the Bulls and Sharks played at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 9 March 2019.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Eroni Clarke and Stephen Hardy 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, Marius Botha, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.18.”
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 10 weeks due to World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. The evidence demonstrated the victim player’s head made contact with the ground due to the Player’s reckless actions. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s age, relative inexperience, remorse, and the fact the Player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 5 weeks.”
“The player is therefore suspended for 5 weeks, up to and including Friday 19 April 2019.”
Foul Play Review Committee: Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Eroni Clarke and Stephen Hardy
Player: Jeremy Ward
Team: Sharks
Position: Centre
Date of Incident: 9 March 2019
Nature of Offence: Law 9.18: A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.
Elapsed time in match when offence occurred: 13:26
