Case Number:

ON/10/21

Callum Phillips #9, Whitehaven

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Whitehaven v Dewsbury

Match Date:

2021-03-20

Incident:

Dangerous throw in the 35th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (d)
Grade D – Dangerous Throw - Lifting player into dangerous position

Fine:

£250

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenges the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 25th March, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above Match.
The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 35th minute of the above Match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion, you lifted your opponent into a dangerous position and the opponent landed on his head/neck/spinal column. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause your opponent an injury and were against the true spirit of the game and constitute Misconduct.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence (Dangerous Throw – lifts opponent into dangerous position) In accordance with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is 3-5 matches.

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

Player in attendance alongside Head Coach Gary Charlton and Director of Rugby Ashley Kilpatrick.

GC stated that the player was involved in the tackle with two other teammates and believes their involvement contributed to way the tackle ended as they were pulling the opponent forward and down. He believes the player did lift in order to try and complete the tackle by bringing the opponent to ground, however, in the process of doing so the teammates peeled off. If they had of remained in contact and kept hold the tackle would have been completed safely.

CP addressed the panel and apologised for the incident. He stated it was his intention to take the legs away as his teammates controlled the opponent which would mean he would go to ground safely. This would mean that they had control of the play the ball. He added that it all happened in a split second and that he did not drive the player towards the ground. Once he realised his opponent was in a vulnerable position he tried to pull out and did not use full force.

GC then showed the panel a comparison clip (Matatuai – Castleford v Catalans) which was given a Grade C charge. He felt this tackle showed the player driving the player into the ground yet was graded lower than the charge in question.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Reasons for Decision:

The principal challenge to the grading appears to be that initially there was a significant contribution from Brett Philips in the challenge in pulling the player to the floor which caused the lift by Callum Phillips to be exaggerated.

Secondly it is submitted that he did not drive the opponent to the floor.

We take the view that the contribution of Brett Phillips was very limited and whilst it may have initially meant that the players upper body was going down to the floor the entire lifting motion comes from Callum Phillips. He raises to his full height with his elbow extended upwards and at no time stops that momentum.

Having got him into such a dangerous position – whilst he did not drive him to the ground – he did not take steps to lower him to the floor and limit the height and force from which he dropped.

Consequently, there was forceful contact with the neck and the top of his back. Players have a duty of care to other players to play the game without endangering them.

This was extremely dangerous and reckless and was appropriately graded at Grade D.

We take the view that Matatuia was rather fortunate to be graded at a C and it is not necessarily a grade that we would have reached and accordingly we are not persuaded to lower the grade here as a result.

Whilst there was no injury we feel that the appropriate suspension is one of 4 matches. In addition the player will be fined £250.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in approx. 35th minute
• Player was dismissed following the incident
• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Phillips completes this tackle.
• Player enters tackle situation in a considered manner on attacker who is involved with two of player’s teammates
• Mr Phillips goes low in contact and grips attacker behind the thighs and begins to lift right leg initially and then lifts left leg to take attacker into the air
• Attacker taken into a dangerous position and twisted over in mid-air.
• Players left elbow is pointed to the sky
• Player extends legs from crouched to straight position
• Opponent’s hips are above his head
• Both of the players feet come up off the ground as a result of the height of the lift
• Attacker’s top of back and neck make contact with the ground.
• Serious risk of injury, due to this dangerous action.
• MRP not suggestion this is an intentional or malicious act.
• This was extremely reckless and dangerous.
• Grade D due to:
- Unnecessary nature of the upwards lifting motion
- Attacker placed in very dangerous position
- Attacker’s neck and top of back makes contact with the ground
- Attacker was assessed by the physio on the field but was able to continue

Suspension:

4 matches