Piutau Appeals His Three Match Suspension
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Bristol Bears' centre Siale Piutau is appealing his three-match suspension, which was given for punching or striking Worcester Warriors' Andrew Kitchener contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12.
The appeal will be heard tonight (Thursday 10 September) at 17.45 by a new online independent disciplinary panel comprising Sir James Dingemans (chair) with Sam Hillas QC and Becky Essex. At the original hearing Piutau accepted the charge against him and was given the suspension by an independent panel of Matthew Weaver (chair), Mitch Read and Chris Skaife.
Piutau's decision to appeal the ban comes after both Bristol Director of Rugby Pat Lam and Worcester Warriors' Director of Rugby Alan Solomons both commented on the outcomes of the hearings.
On Tuesday, Lam voiced his frustration on the messages of inconsistency in the game. Highlighting his frustration, the Bristol Bears' Director of Rugby commented:
“I am just extremely frustrated,” Lam told BT Sport. “The messages of inconsistency is what I am struggling with.
“Siale was attacked by two guys who started swinging at him. The process means he can’t strike back.
“The message you can start a fight and punch someone with the same penalty (three games)… I just think there needs to be clarity and a shake-up.
“You should be able to defend yourself if someone attacks you like that. I was absolutely disappointed. Things have got to change.”
Pat Lam wanted the floor to address Siale Piutau's three-match ban.
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 8, 2020
"You've got to have self-defense. You should be able to defend yourself if someone attacks you lie that."
"What do I say to his wife & kids if he gets a whack in the head?"
"Things have got to change..." pic.twitter.com/8q9xCbhLy2
On Wednesday, Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons was asked by BT Sport to address Pat Lam's comments.
Solomons begged to differ with Lam's comments, saying Piutau was the instigator of the incident.
"He's a strong, experienced player, he seizes the initiative and grabs Andrew Kitchener," commented Solomons on BT Sport.
"The punishment for both players is appropriate. You can't seek to undermine it."
"Siale Piutau was the instigator of the incident. He's a strong, experienced player, he seizes the initiative and grabs Andrew Kitchener."
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 9, 2020
"The punishment for both players is appropriate. You can't seek to undermine it."
Alan Solomons addresses Pat Lam's comments on BT Sport. pic.twitter.com/rhO0U5d9lw
