Wallaby forward banned after red card against Argentina

Wallabies forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will miss the opening rounds of the 2021 Super Rugby Australia season after receiving a four-week suspension.

Salakaia-Loto pleaded guilty to a dangerous tackle for his hit on Argentina’s Santiago Grondona on Saturday that saw him being sent off the pitch with a red card.

Referee Angus Gardner did not hesitate in sending the second-rower off after seeing the replays.

A SANZAAR statement read:

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Lukhan Salakaia-Loto of Australia for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, when he made high contact with Argentina's #6 Santiago Grondona during the match between Australia and Argentina at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 5 December 2020.

Salakaia-Loto has been suspended from all forms of the game for 4 weeks, up to and including Friday 26 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.

 
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 a prior offence on his record.

The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including Friday 26 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.