Lachlan Swinton to miss the rest of the Tri Nations
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Wallabies flanker Lachlan Swinton will not be available to the Wallabies for the remainder of the Tri Nations following his high tackle on Sam Whitelock on Saturday.
The 22-year-old was given his marching orders 34 minutes into his test debut for a high tackle on the All Black lock and has now been handed a four week suspension.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee confirmed the suspension on Monday stating that Swinton accepted a guilty plea for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, when he made high contact with New Zealand #5 Sam Whitelock during the match between Australia and New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday 7 November 2020.
Swinton has been suspended from all forms of the game for 4 weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021. The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Mike Mika assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions from his legal representative, Maryjane Crabtree, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13.
Red on debut for Lachlan Swinton 🔴 #BledisloeCup #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/gapeDmt2sZ
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) November 7, 2020
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 must start at a mid-range level. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the fact the Player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 4 weeks. The Player was not entitled to a full 50% reduction due to the presence of two prior offences on his record.
The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021.”
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.
View this post on InstagramA red on debut for Lachlan Swinton 😯 #Wallabies #BledisloeCup #TriNations #AUSvNZL
