Melbourne Rebels wing Cooper Vuna has been banned for two weeks, after being found guilty of a spear tackle in his side’s 12-43 Super Rugby loss to the Highlanders.
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Vuna was found guilty of lifting Highlanders wing Kade Poki and dropped him to the ground with no regard for his safety. The incident occurred in the 56th minute.
SANZAR judicial officer Mike Heron has accepted a guilty plea from Vuna for contravening Law 10.4 (j): Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground.
Poki’s shoulder and upper back contacted the ground in a manner that placed his head and neck at risk of injury.
Vuna was suspended from all forms of the game for two weeks, up to and including the April 14.
The incident occurred in the 56th minute of the match between the Highlanders and Rebels in Invercargill on Friday 30th March.
Heron, in his finding, said the tackle was “clearly dangerous”, as the player dropped the tackled player without any attempt to bring him down safely.
“In the circumstances I find that the tackle was in breach of Law 10.4(j). The player accepted that the tackle was executed poorly and was in breach. It was explained that the tackle was performed in a dynamic situation and that he attempted to pull out of the tackle and release the player [dropping him without realising the danger involved].”
“I reviewed the match footage and the citing commissioners report [on the intranet]. I find that the tackle was executed deliberately in the sense that he intended to lift the player and tip him. The player was tipped beyond the horizontal and dropped to the ground (and objectively assessed was clearly dangerous). I accept, however, that there was no intention to injure the player or to drive him into the ground.
“Rather, Vuna has executed the tackle with poor technique and was reckless as to the danger caused. I note that the Highlanders player suffered no injury and continued to play immediately (although the lack of resulting injury in these tackles may be fortuitous). Vuna immediately went to the Highlanders player to check on him and apologise.
“In all the circumstances, I find that the tackle was low-end and warrants an entry point of three weeks.
“There is the need for deterrence, which again is present in respect to these tackles (refer IRB memorandum of June 2009). A further week of suspension is warranted for reasons of deterrence.
“Matters in mitigation include the player’s immediate acceptance of his wrong, his remorse for the same and his plea of guilty. Cooper Vuna has no previous relevant disciplinary matters. He has one yellow card in Super Rugby, but no cards or citing for foul play. He said he has played professional rugby and rugby league since 2004, with the last two in professional rugby. I am advised that is the first matter of foul play in either code to come to discipline. He has a positive record over a significant professional career – a matter which should weigh clearly in his favour.
“To recognise and acknowledge the immediate guilty plea and remorse, and other mitigating factors, I am prepared to reduce the penalty by two weeks, bringing it down from four weeks to two weeks suspension.”