Matera suspended for two weeks

The SANZAAR Disciplinary Committee (Committee) has found Pablo Matera of the Argentina team guilty of contravening Law 9.20(a) - A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

Pablo Matera has been suspended from all forms of the game up to and including 10 November 2024.

The incident occurred in the 56th minute of the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa, on 28 September 2024.

The SANZAAR Disciplinary Committee, comprised of Helen Morgan (Chair), Mike Mika, and John Langford, assessed the appeal and incident.

In their finding, Committee Chair, Helen Morgan, ruled as follows:

"The 2024 Tournament Manual issued by SANZAAR and following World Rugby Regulation 17 in conjunction with the trial disciplinary manual that specifies "The Disciplinary Committee has the power to regrade the sanction from Foul Play to Aggravated Foul Play, to regrade a sanction from Aggravated Foul Play to Foul Play, dismiss the sanction in its entirety, or impose another sanction, based on a new streamlined sanction table".

"In circumstances where the Disciplinary Committee upholds the original sanction of the RCSC (Red Card Sanction Committee), an additional match will be added to the sanction. The purpose of this is to disincentivise players from bringing appeals which are without merit."

"Therefore, having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions by the Player and the player’s representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Disciplinary Committee upheld the Red Card and found the Player contravened Law 9.20(a)."  

“The Disciplinary Committee assessed the actions, including reckless foul play by the Player made contact without binding onto another player in the ruck and striking an opponent’s head with their shoulder at speed.”

"The Disciplinary Committee has determined that the actions in question meet the criteria for a Red Card under law 9.20(a). These actions are deemed to constitute "foul play" as per the new directive, thereby warranting a 2-week suspension. This decision aligns with World Rugby's directive, which defines “Foul Play occurs where the Player has attempted to effect a legal rugby action but has made an error in doing so. Some examples include situations where a legal rugby action would likely have occurred but for poor timing or technique error.”

“Therefore, the Player is suspended up to and including 10 November 2024.”

Hearing Details (date, time and venue): Wednesday, 9 October 2024, 04:00 (ART), 16:00 (JST), 18:00 (AEDT), and 20:00 (NZDT)

Disciplinary Committee: Helen Morgan (Chair), Mike Mika and John Langford

Player: Pablo Matera

Team: Argentina

Position: Loose Forward

Nature of Offence: Law 9.20(a): A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 56:00