Herewith a general review of the judicial affairs of the 10th week of Super Rugby 2012, with three White Card incidents which led to two citings, while there were no off-field yellows or red cards shown.
Summary of the disciplinary cards shown:
White Cards
Lions v Brumbies
In the 62nd minute of the match Referee Keith Brown issued a yellow card to Lions player Butch James for recklessly charging into a ruck and making dangerous contact with Brumbies No. 4 Scott Fardy. Brown also put the incident on report by issuing a White Card.
Following review of the match footage the Citing commissioner determined in his opinion the incident had the potential to result in serious injury and therefore felt the incident had met the Red Card threshold and therefore cited James, who was found guilty and suspended for 4 Weeks.
Western Force v Stormers
In the 24th minute of the match Referee Jaco Peyper issued a White Card for a minor altercation between Western Force player Brett Sheehan and Stormers Rynhardt Elstadt.
Upon review of the incident after the match the Citing Commissioner was satisfied the incident was of a minor nature and none of the players involved had reached the Red Card threshold for foul play and the matter was dismissed with no further action.
Cheetahs v Highlanders
In the 32nd minute of the match an altercation broke out involving a number of players from both teams following a scrum.
After taking advice from his Assistant Referees, Marious Jonker issued a Yellow Card to Highlanders No 25 James Haskell for striking Cheetahs player Justin Downey.
As he was unsighted on the incident Jonker also put it on report by issuing a White Card.
Upon review of the incident after the match the Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the punch thrown by Haskell was deliberate and had met the Red Card threshold and therefore Haskell was Cited.
Haskell was Cited under Law 10.4 (a) Punching or Striking. A Player must not strike an opponent with his fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knees.
Haskell was found guilty and suspended for 3 Weeks.