Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Sunwolves star Semisi Masirewa handed Super Rugby ban

Semisi Masirewa. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images for Sunwolves)

Sunwolves wing Semisi Masirewa has pleaded guilty at a SANZAAR judicial hearing following his sending off during his side’s 32-26 loss to the Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane last weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

Masirewa received two yellow cards in which he is alleged to have contravened Law 9.7(a) Intentionally Offending, and Law 9.13 Dangerous Tackling.

The first yellow card came 36th minute, after he was penalised for cynical play at the breakdown, while the second came just four minutes after his return to the field as a result of a high tackle on Jock Campbell.

His second yellow yielded a red card from referee Angus Gardner, as per competition rules.

Consequently, Masirewa has been suspended from all forms of the game for 1 week, up to and including May 12.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Terry Willis (Chairman), Eroni Clarke and Stefan Terblanche assessed the case.

In his finding, Willis 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, Maryjane Crabtree, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the red card, finding both incidents met the yellow card threshold.”

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed that a one-week sanction was appropriate due to the fact the player had a previous period of suspension for dangerous tackling in the prior year.

ADVERTISEMENT

“As a result of the player’s persistent offending, it was held that a one-week sanction was in line with the guidance of World Rugby Regulation 17, Appendix 4.

“The player is therefore suspended for one week, up to and including 12 May 2019.”

Masirewa’s yellow and red cards were two of six cards that were brandished by Gardner in an ugly encounter in the Queensland capital, with teammates Masataka Mikami, Rahboni Warren Vosayaco and Yu Tamura  also spending time in the sin bin, while Reds prop Harry Hockings was sent off for striking a player in the head with his boot.

That prompted Sunwolves head coach Tony Brown to take aim at Gardner’s officiating, suggesting the pressure of performing well in a World Cup year got to the 2018 World Rugby Referee of the Year.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There’s World Cup spots coming up; they’re all wanting to do well,” Brown said of the pressure on officials.

“It was one of the first times I’ve seen Angus Gardner under pressure in a game of rugby and he didn’t handle it well.

“I think he’ll look back at that game and hopefully learn from it and be better, no different from any rugby player.”

Watch – Michael Leitch sits down with RugbyPass:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 31 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'World-class finisher' offers All Blacks selection solution Mark Tele'a scores a double at Allianz Stadium
Search