Fa’agase Slapped with Threeweek Ban for Sau Tackle
Queensland Reds prop Sef Fa’agase has been hit with a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle during his side’s narrow fourth round Super Rugby Pacific win over the Fijian Drua. Fa’agase was cited after an incident in the 56th minute where it appeared he led a tackle with his shoulder, which contacted Eroni Sau’s head.
Sau lay on the ground briefly and the incident went unnoticed as play continued.
Sau left the field for a head injury assessment (HIA) and did not return while Fa’agase escaped any sanctioning during the match. Fa’agase was cited post-match before fronting a foul play review committee on Tuesday where it was deemed the tackle had a high degree of danger.
The panel initially considered giving Fa’agase a six-week suspension, but noted mitigating factors including his “judicial record and acceptance of guilt at the first opportunity.”
SANZAAR foul play committee chairman Michael Heron KC noted, “The incident met the red card
threshold and upheld the citing in accordance with Law 9.13.”
“With respect to sanction the foul play review committee (FPRC) considered the act of foul play was reckless, high in danger and had a considerable impact on the victim player.
Foul play
“As part of the World Rugby head contact process, the FPRC considered all relevant factors and determined that the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks. “The foul play review committee
reduced the suspension to three weeks based on mitigating factors, including the player’s judicial record and his acceptance of guilt at the first opportunity.
“The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including 7 April 2023.”
The Fijian Drua will be without ‘The Sledgehammer’ for 12 days, per HIA protocols, meaning Sau miss the forthcoming clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.
“He’s a tough man and he doesn’t get knocked out for nothing,” said
Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne. “HIA is here to stay and so it should be, we’ve got to look after our players and I like to think if we lose a player to HIA, it’s worth to look at why.”
Fa’agase’s ban is yet another blow for the Reds who are already without Harry Hoopert and Taniela Tupou due to injury.
The Reds face the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday before matches against the Crusaders and Brumbies.