Case Number:

ON/1205/22

Sione Mata'utia #11, St Helens

Competition:

Super League

Match:

St Helens v Wigan Warriors

Match Date:

2022-07-09

Incident:

Late Hit on Passer

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1(i) - Dangerous Contact

A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player

Grade A

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 11 July 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 00:32:54 Opta time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you contacted your opponent after they had released the ball, causing flexion to the head or neck area. In the Panel’s view your conduct was unnecessary and could have caused injury to your opponent.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade A offence – Behaves in any way contrary to the true spirit of the game (includes Dangerous Contact) - Dangerous Contact - A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

The normal suspension range for such offence is from NFA to 1 match.

• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Matautia makes contact with his opponent Mr Field.
• Mr Field receives the ball and comes on an outside arc.
• Mr Matautia makes the decision to go towards Mr Field.
• As Mr Matautia closes the space, Mr Field passes the ball.
• Mr Matautia can see this happen never the less carries on into contact.
• There is clear flexion on the footage of Mr Field’s head and neck.
• Given the proximity of both players prior to release the MRP submit that contact of some form is inevitable.
• The opponent given his line of run will expect some form of contact from Mr Matautia therefore can prepare of a nature.
• However, the nature of the contact by Mr Matautia is unnecessary and avoidable.
• Mr Matautia does not look to affect a legitimate tackle upon seeing the ball released by Mr Field.
• The MRP submit that Mr Matautia’s actions given the above points were of a careless nature.
• Clubs have been issued with a guidance note which is titled as Late Hits on Passers however the same principles apply as it refers to contact after the ball has been released.
• Head injuries are a serious point of concern for all involved in contact sports and players have to be deterred from making contact with the heads of opponents. The RFL have sent communications in this regard both at the start of the 2021 season and now again for the 2022 season.

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

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

MR explained that the club felt the incident was worthy of a Caution. He explained that contact unavoidable and that SM moderated his contact. RL is a collision sport and SM was defending out in the centre against a very quick opponent. SM attempted to “wrap” and that the opponent also braced for contact. There was no flexion to the neck or head and the opponent jumped straight up to celebrate the try the immediately followed.

KW then talked the panel through a comparison clip (Williams – Warrington v Catalans – Grade A). The club felt this tackle showed no attempt to wrap the opponent and that he also twisted & dropped his shoulder before contact. He added the incident been discussed was a legitimate attempt to tackle.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• MRP felt that this necessitated a Grade A charge for the following reasons:
- Careless act.
- Player has not moderated contact sufficiently.
- Nature of contact is unnecessary.
- Opponent is expecting of some form of contact. They are less vulnerable.

Reasons for Decision:

Having reviewed the footage, considered the comparison clip and listened carefully to the submissions on behalf of the MRP and the player the Tribunal conclude that there was unavoidable contact with the opponent which did not cause flexion of the head, neck or spine.

We agree with the submission on behalf of the player that he attempted to mitigate his contact by wrapping his arms around the opponent.

The Tribunal have come to the conclusion that this was not a Grade A offence as charged by the MRP but that the player should receive a Caution for this matter.

Suspension:

Caution