World Rugby has published a disciplinary update following this weekend's matches in the November international window.
Men’s test matches
Eroni Vasiteri (Fiji)
An independent judicial committee has cleared Eroni Vasiteri of Fiji to play following a disciplinary hearing on 13 November, 2018 in London.
Vasiteri was cited for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13* following the November test between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield on 10 November, 2018. His case was heard by an independent judicial committee chaired by Charles Cuthbert (UAE), alongside Donal Courtney (Ireland, former international referee) and Mike Rafter (England, former international player).
The player denied he had committed the act of foul play. Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, the committee deemed that the alleged offence had been an act of foul play, but did not pass the ‘red card test’ and thus did not warrant any further sanction.
Vasiteri is free to resume playing with immediate effect.
The full written decision is available here.
*Law 9.13 states: ‘A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes but is not limited to tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.’
Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
Siya Kolisi (South Africa) has received a Citing Commissioner Warning from Citing Commissioner David Pelton (USA) for striking with the head (Law 9.12) during the 31st minute of the Scotland versus South Africa November test at BT Murrayfield on 17 November.
Having reviewed the video angles, the Citing Commissioner determined that there were mitigating factors which meant that the action did not meet the red card threshold, including the player being illegally prevented from re-joining the play by Scotland’s Peter Horne and the moderate force of the strike to the side of the head. The match officials did not see the incident at the time on the field of play.
Under World Rugby Regulation 17, a Citing Commissioner Warning is issued for offences falling just short of a RC and, or similarly to cards, will form part of the player’s disciplinary record.
Women’s test matches
Megan Rom (USA)
An independent judicial committee has handed-down a three-week suspension to Megan Rom (USA) for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.11 (Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others).
Rom received a red card from referee Hollie Davidson during the first half of the November international between England and USA at Allianz Park, north London, on Friday 9 November, 2018. Her case was heard by a judicial committee of three in London, chaired by Pamela Woodman (Scotland), alongside Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Jose-Luis Rolandi (via video link from Argentina).
The player admitted the act of foul play and that it had merited a red card and apologised for her actions.
Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, the independent judicial committee deemed the offence to be at the mid-range of the scale of seriousness for this type of offence, carrying a six-week entry-point suspension.
However, taking into account the mitigating factors, including the player’s acceptance of the red card, conduct at the hearing and good disciplinary record, the player was suspended for a period of three weeks.
The suspension will run into the player’s next season with the exact end-date to be confirmed upon receipt by the judicial committee of further information on the player’s playing schedule.
The player has 48 hours in which to appeal from receipt of the full written decision.
The full written decision is available here.
Leilani Perese (New Zealand)
An independent judicial committee has cleared Leilani Perese (New Zealand) to play following a disciplinary hearing in London on 12 November, 2018.
Perese was cited for foul play contrary to Law 9.20 (a player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders) following the November test match between France and New Zealand in Toulon on 9 November, 2018. The case was heard by an independent judicial committee chaired by Charles Cuthbert (UAE), alongside Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Jose-Luis Rolandi (by video-link from Argentina).
Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, the independent judicial committee deemed the alleged offence not to have warranted a red card.
Perese is free to resume playing with immediate effect.