Samipeni Finau issued a Warning

Foul Play Review Committee: Michael Heron QC (Chairman), John Langford and Stefan Terblanche
Player: Samipeni Finau
Team: Chiefs
Position: Lock
Date of Incident: 29 April 2022
Nature of Offence: Law 9.13:  A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
Elapsed time in match when offence occurred: 75:40

SANZAAR NEWS RELEASE

Samipeni Finau issued a Warning

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has examined a matter relating to Samipeni Finau of the Chiefs for contravening Law 9.13:  A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Pacific Match at the Weekend. 

Finau has been issued with a Warning for his actions. A Warning may be issued by the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee for foul play incidents that are very close to, but in their opinion do not meet the Red Card threshold.

The incident occurred in the 75th minute of the match between the Reds and Chiefs played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 29 April 2022.

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

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Michael Heron QC 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 found the foul play did not breach the red card threshold." 
 
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a Warning as it was close to, but did not breach the red card threshold. The Foul Play Review Committee deemed that the significant mitigating factors, including the tackler having lowered his body height to effect the tackle, mitigated the sanction to a Warning."

"The player is therefore free to resume playing.”

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.