Brodie Retallick gets two-match ban after red card against Japan

The independent judicial committee heard the case, considered all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles, the referee report and submissions from the player and his representative.

Retallick accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that the offence was worthy of a red card.

Having reviewed all the evidence, the Committee applied the Head Contact Process and upheld the red card under Law 9.20(a). In particular, the Committee noted that the Player admitted that the clean out of the opponent was executed with his arm trailing at the point his shoulder made contact with the back of the opponent’s head and/or neck.

On that basis, the Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six matches given the direction by World Rugby that “any act of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or the neck shall result in at least a mid-range sanction.” 

Taking into account the player’s excellent disciplinary record and the mitigating factors under Regulation 17, the Committee granted the player full mitigation of 50 per cent, resulting in a sanction of three matches. The committee also approved the player's application under the Head Contact Process – Coaching Intervention Programme.

The player will miss New Zealand’s next matches against Wales and Scotland. Subject to the successful completion of the Coaching Intervention programme, he will be free to play in New Zealand’s match against England on November 19, 2022.