Tanielu Tele'a suspended for 4 weeks

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Tanielu Tele'a of the Blues for contravening Law 9.17: A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

Tele'a has been suspended from all forms of the game for 4 weeks, up to and including 4 May 2019.

The incident occurred in the 69th minute of the match between the Blues and Stormers played at Eden Park in Auckland on 30 March 2019.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden SC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Eroni Clarke 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 from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.17." 
 

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 8 weeks due to the reckless actions of the Player placing his vulnerable opponent in an extremely dangerous position with the potential to cause significant injury. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's good Judicial record and 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 is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including 4 May 2019.”

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.