Highlanders back the 1st to be banned in Super Rugby 2020

Cape Town - The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Highlanders back Patelsio Tomkinson for contravening Law 9.13. A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was cited during a Super Rugby match last weekend.

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Tomkinson has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including Saturday, March 7, 2020.

The incident occurred in the 44th minute of the Highlanders' match against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (chairperson), Eroni Clarke and Stefan Terblanche assessed the case.

In his finding, Casselden 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 citing under Law 9.13."  

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's clean judicial record and the fact the Player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."

"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including the Saturday, March 7, 2020.”

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.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.

Tomkinson, the first player to have been banned in this year's tournament, will miss the Highlanders' matches against the Crusaders (away) on Friday, February 21, at home to the Melbourne Rebels (Friday, February 28) and against the Bulls in Pretoria (Saturday, March 7).

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