Robbie Coetzee

Emirates Lions’ hooker Robbie Coetzee has been suspended for 3 matches after he was found guilty for performing a dangerous spear tackle on Cheetahs replacement wing Rayno Benjamin.

The ruling means the burly forward will play no further part in this year’s campaign if his side fails to make this year’s playoffs as they only have 2 games remaining.

Coetzee has been found guilty under Law 10.4 (j): Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and / or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play.

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 49th minute.

“I considered all the evidence before me including the video footage, Citing Commissioner’s report, medical information for the Cheetahs’ player, Rayno Benjamin, who was involved in the incident and the submissions made for the player by his legal representative, Frikkie Erasmus and Lions Defence Coach, JP Ferreira,” Judicial Officer Robert Stelzner said.

“After taking further facts into consideration, such as the player’s unsuccessful attempt to hold on to his opponent in the tackle, I found the incident to have a lower end entry point. A 4 week suspension is indicated for such offending.

“The need for a deterrent in the circumstances of this incident is in my view served by imposing a further week’s suspension.”

Stelzner said there were mitigating factors that were also included Coetzee’s hearing.

“Mitigating factors included the player’s clean disciplinary record and the fact that he apologised to his opponent both at the time of the incident and after the match, thereby demonstrating remorse for his actions. This, amongst other factors, entitles the player to a reduction in the sanction of 2 weeks.

“The playing schedule of the player is such that his team has a BYE in 3 weeks’ time. There is furthermore a good prospect that the team will be eligible to play in the Super Rugby Finals Series in the week thereafter. In the circumstances, a meaningful sanction would be to suspend the player for 4 weeks which translates into 3 matches,” Stelzner added.

Coetzee will miss his team’s final 2 games against the Waratahs in Johannesburg and the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

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