Perese slapped with 3-match ban

Waratahs centre Izaia Perese has been handed a three-match ban after a dangerous tackle he pulled off during his team’s 41-7 defeat to the Reds in the first round of Super Rugby AU.

Perese pleaded guilty to the citing and the review committee down-graded his suspension on the grounds that they found it to be reckless instead of intentional.

Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:

“In submissions to the hearing, Perese pleaded guilty to the citing under Law 9.18.

With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee were cognisant of the fact that recent amendments to Appendix 1 of Regulation 17 meant that World Rugby’s directive, that any incident of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or neck shall result in at least a mid-range section, did not apply to a contravention of Law 9.18.

The Foul Play Review Committee, having conducted a detailed review of all of the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, determined that the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 6 weeks. This was primarily due to the reckless rather than intentional nature of the action which ultimately placed Perese’s opponent in a vulnerable position but which did not cause an injury to the opponent.

When taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s clean judicial record and the fact the Player pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced his suspension to 3 weeks.”