Case Number:

ON/751/21

Sione Matautia #14, St Helens

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Wakefield v St Helens

Match Date:

2021-07-09

Incident:

Late hit on kicker in the 8th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (b)
High Tackle - Reckless – tried to tackle but reckless about outcome
Grade B

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

1 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenge the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 12th July 2021, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(b) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 8th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you tried to tackle your opponent but made contact with the head in a reckless manner. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause injury and against the spirit of the game.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence – High Tackle - Reckless – tried to tackle but reckless about outcome. The normal suspension range for such offence is from 1 to a 2 Match Suspension.

With regard to the comparison clip (Fleming – London v Bradford – Grade B) the CM explained the MRP felt this was graded at Grade B due to it being late in terms of the opponent had released the ball. Contact was initially with the back and shoulder but also made significant contact with the head.

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

Player in attendance alongside Mike Rush (CEO) and Kristian Woolf (Head Coach). Player pleads guilty to the offence but challenges the grading.

MR explained that they accept this challenge was careless, however, they do not believe it to be reckless. The plater is trying to apply pressure on the kicker and any contact made to the opponent’s head is glancing at best.

The club believe the player had his feet on the ground at all times -albeit his is on his toes at some point – and that sometimes watching the footage in slow motion can be misleading.

MR told the panel the player entered in a tackling motion and the opponent is leaning back as his gets the kick away. The opponent does not stay down after contact is made and the player is trying to wrap his arms around. First contact is with the shoulder of the opponent and contact with the head is at best a glance. There is no reaction from the Referee.

The club agree contact could have been a touch lower, however, there is no motive involved and the players actions are not unsafe. They feel perhaps the player got it a little bit wrong, but any contact with the head is secondary and the incident is certainly not reckless. The opponent is not moving whilst the player is and as such the club feel the charge should be downgraded to a Grade A charge.

SM informed the panel that the opponent was free to play on in the game and that he was good friends with him having played with him earlier in their careers.

With regard to the comparison clip (Fleming – London v Bradford – Grade B) which was introduced by the Compliance Manager, MR felt this showed the player using a swinging arm and contact was made direct to the head of the opponent.

Decision:

Guilty plea

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. 8th minute
• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Matautia makes contact with his opponent.
• The opponent Mr Lino is kicking the ball
• Mr Matautia comes into contact his opponent and is late but set to make a tackle
• The point of impact initially brushes the opponents shoulder but there is clear contact with the head
• Mr Matautia is off the floor at the point of contact
• Player has tried to tackle but is reckless about the outcome
• Fails to make any adaptions prior to contact
• Potential for injury to the opponent
• Graded B due to:
- Reckless in nature
- Forceful contact with the head
- Duty of care owed to opponent

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal confirms the assessment of this incident as a Grade B offence. The crucial question is whether this was reckless or careless conduct. Within paragraph 15.1(b) Careless offences carry an A-B grading and Reckless offences carry a B-C grading. Reckless and Careless are defined at paragraph 8.2 of the RFL Sentencing Guidelines. Applying those definitions this must be regarded as reckless conduct. This incident involved a high degree of obvious risk (of neck/head injury) which the player ought to have been aware of and yet he carried on with his forceful confrontation of the kicker. This was more than a simple “accident” involving no more than a simple mistake.

Although this was a quickly happening event there was nevertheless a not unappreciable period of time within which the player could have ameliorated his conduct. The risk of serious consequences from high and late contacts is now well known and players have to act accordingly on the field of play. Therefore, the Tribunal confirms the 1 match suspension together with the fine and the forfeiture of the appeal bond.

Suspension:

1 match