Case Number:

ON/075/20

Tevita Satae #10, Hull FC

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Hull FC v Hull KR

Match Date:

2020-02-07

Incident:

Late contact in the 66th minute (Lawler)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(i)
Detail – A defending players makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes excessive flexion to the head, neck or spinal column
Grade – C

Sanctions:

3 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging the grading

Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 10th February 2020, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 66th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you made contact with your opponent (Lawler) whilst in a vulnerable position after the ball had been passed. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary and had the potential to cause your opponent injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade C offence (A defending players makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes excessive flexion to the head, neck or spinal column). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 2 – 3 match suspension.

In response to the introduction of the comparison clip Miss Fairbank (RFL Compliance Manager) explained some of the differences between that and the charge been contested was:

• Less speed involved
• Contact was “arm to arm”
• The players came together (whereas in this case the opponent was stationary)
• Havard’s opponent could expect contact

Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Player in attendance alongside James Clark (Chief Executive) and pleads guilty to the charge but would like to challenge the grading.

Mr Clark told the tribunal that he thought the challenge was clumsy rather than reckless and that a 3-match suspension was too much. Other than a penalty there was no further on-field sanction from the Referee who was in a good position to see the incident. He explained that the player had a split second decision as to whether he could execute a tackle and that he tried to pull out once he realised he could not perform it as he originally intended.

He added that the player had just returned to the field following a head injury assessment and was perhaps not fully back up to the speed of the game. The opponent was not injured and was soon back on his feet.

The player then addressed the panel and offered his apologies for been in attendance. He said he never set out to do anything reckless and it was never his intention to hurt an opponent.

A comparison clip was then introduced (Havard – Castleford v Wigan) in which they player had received a Caution for an incident with the same charge. They were of the opinion that this challenge involved more force and was made by way of a shoulder charge. The wording when charged was the same as the incident that was been discussed now and they believed the player had the opportunity to correct himself before impact.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have talked at length about an incident that is very serious. They are of the opinion that the comparison clip is not on a par with this charge and that there are clearly several differences between them.

They are however satisfied that the incident was not at the top end of “reckless” and were of the opinion that it was more of a careless action by the player.

They therefore decide that the charge should be downgraded to Grade B.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Incident occurs in the 66th minute of the match
• Player approaches opponent following an offload
• Player has an unobstructed view of opponent and the ball
• Player does not adapt following opponent offloading the ball
• Player accelerates into contact
• Player makes contact as opponent is in a relaxed, unsighted, vulnerable state
• Player demonstrates no attempt to tackle opponent
• Player promotes forearm into the shoulder area of the back of opponent
• Player approaches at speed generating high force to the contact
• Opponent’s body demonstrates whiplash action
• Opponent lands forcefully
• Grade C due to:
- Reckless contact as player sees the ball is offloaded and still proceeds into contact
- Involves an unacceptable risk of injury to opponent
- Lack of duty of care demonstrated towards opponent

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Mr Clark thanked the panel for their time. He reiterated that the players had shown remorse following the incident and that his previous record was minimal.

He added that they accepted the player should have to serve some kind of punishment for the incident.

The player once again apologised for his actions.

Aggravating Factors:

08/06/19 – NRL – Dangerous Contact (Head/Neck) – 1 match
15/07/18 – NRL – Dangerous Contact (Head/Neck) – n/a

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully though about this charge and it is one that could have been very serious. This type of incident has the potential to cause serious injury, although they are satisfied in this instance it was more a matter of the player being careless.

They therefore feel they can downgrade it and hand down a Grade B charge which results in a 2-match suspension.

Suspension:

2 matches