Jaguares hooker banned for Sharks head stomp

Jaguares hooker Santiago Socino has copped a three-week ban for stamping on Sharks hooker Craig Burden's head during their Super Rugby encounter at Kings Park last Saturday.

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The incident occurred in the 81st minute of the match, which the Sharks won 33-19.

Socino was cited under Law 9.12: A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes but is not limited to: Stamping or Trampling.

The Sanzaar foul-play review committee, chaired by Adam Casselden, accepted a guilty plea from the player, which counted as a mitigating factor when his sanction was handed down.

“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 judicial committee upheld the citing under Law 9.12," the southern hemisphere rugby governing body said in a statement.

"With respect to sanction, the judicial committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six 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 that he pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the judicial committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.

"The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including Saturday, 4 April 2020. This sanction covers the player’s next three scheduled matches and also incorporates the scheduled bye weekend for the Jaguares in round nine."

Socino has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including 4 April.

He will miss the Jaguares' next three matches against the Highlanders, Stormers and Rebels.

Whats the sanction for kicking a guy in the head? #SHAvJAG pic.twitter.com/r3dTUVwZVQ

— Zelím Nel (@Zels77) March 7, 2020