Lavanini cleared to face the All Blacks

Argentine lock Tomas Lavinni has been cleared to face the All Blacks on 9 September after he receiveded no further sanction following his red card against the Springboks on the weekend,

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Tomas Lavanini of Argentina after he received 2 Yellow Cards and was consequently issued with a Red Card during a Rugby Championship match at the weekend.

Lavanini received two Yellow Cards during the match between Argentina v South Africa at Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta on 26 August 2017. 

A Player who receives two Yellow Cards in a match is awarded a Red Card.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following:

"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence of both yellow carded incidents, including all camera angles, as well as submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card."

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee ruled, after considering a number of factors, including the fact that the second Yellow Card was not for a foul play offence, the effect of the Red Card both on the match and on the Player's team, and the Player being off the field for a total of some 35 minutes, that the Player’s ordering off was sufficient in itself and that no further sanction was appropriate in these particular circumstances."

"The player is, therefore, free to play and will serve no additional suspension”