Disciplinary: Sekope Kepu (Moana Pasifika)

Foul Play Review Committee: Michael Heron QC (Chairman), John Langford and Stefan Terblanche
Player: Sekope Kepu
Team: Moana Pasifika
Position: Prop
Date of Incident: 28 May 2022
Nature of Offence: Law 9.13:  A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
Elapsed time in match when offence occurred: 10:42

SANZAAR NEWS RELEASE

Foul Play Review Committee: Michael Heron QC (Chairman), John Langford and Stefan Terblanche
Player: Sekope Kepu
Team: Moana Pasifika
Position: Prop
Date of Incident: 28 May 2022
Nature of Offence: Law 9.13:  A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
Elapsed time in match when offence occurred: 10:42

SANZAAR NEWS RELEASE

Sekope Kepu suspended for 3 weeks

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Sekope Kepu of the Moana Pasifika for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Pacific Match at the Weekend.

Kepu has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including 25 June 2022.

The incident occurred in the 10th minute of the match between the Moana Pasifika and Brumbies played at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on 28 May 2022.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Michael Heron QC (Chair), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Michael Heron QC ruled the following: 

"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 Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13." 
 
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head and/or neck must start at a mid-range level. Taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's extensive playing career, remorse, and his acceptance of foul play, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."

"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including 25 June 2022.”

All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee; suspended for 3 weeks.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Sekope Kepu of the Moana Pasifika for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Pacific Match at the Weekend.

Kepu has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including 25 June 2022.

The incident occurred in the 10th minute of the match between the Moana Pasifika and Brumbies played at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on 28 May 2022.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Michael Heron QC (Chair), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Michael Heron QC ruled the following: 

"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 Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13." 
 
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head and/or neck must start at a mid-range level. Taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's extensive playing career, remorse, and his acceptance of foul play, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."

"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including 25 June 2022.”

All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.