Case Number:

ON/525/23

Nathan Wilde #25, Leigh

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Leigh Leopards v Leeds Rhinos

Match Date:

2023-04-21

Incident:

Dangerous Contact

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)

Dangerous Contact - Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

Grade B

Fine:

£250

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 24th April 2023, 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 1 39 50 Opta footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you applied pressure to your opponent’s leg which carried an unnecessary risk of injury. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause injury and are 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 – Dangerous Contact - Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

The normal suspension range for such offence is from a fine to 1-Match suspension.

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the above match.

• The opponent Mr Newman can be seen to take a carry and is contacted by Mr Wilde.

• The opponent breaks through the tackle of Mr Wilde’s teammate with Mr Wilde holding a grip of the opponent around the ball arm.

• Mr Wilde initially whilst maintaining an upper body grip, keeps his feet on the ground and moves with the opponent.

• The player then lunges upwards and rotates his body behind the ball carrier creating a lack of control and lands on the opponent’s leg.

• The opponent is in a vulnerable position.

• Mr Wilde actions are of a reckless nature.

• Opponent grimaces as soon as contact is made and can be seen to receive treatment from Medical Staff.

• Grade B due to:
- Reckless act of one foot coming off the floor and the other foot not weight bearing.
- Significant weight of player going through opponent’s leg.
- Opponent is in a vulnerable position and can in no way mitigate for the actions of Mr Wilde.
- Player is solely responsible for his actions.
- Potential for serious injury.

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

Player in attendance alongside Derek Beaumont (Chair), Adrian Lam (Head Coach), Neil Jukes (CEO) & Chris Chester (Head of Rugby). Player pleads Guilty but challenges the grading.

It is argued by NW and the several Leigh representatives (Adrian Lam, Chris Chester, Neil Jukes & Derek Beaumont) who provided written statements which were amplified orally by the Chairman (Derek Beaumont), that NW did his very best to safely & properly tackle HN who had avoided the first tackler(s).

NW had to approach from the side of HN as he came through the defensive line. He sought to wrap up HN’s upper body/arms where he was carrying the ball and he was successful in doing that. HN’s momentum then carried both of them forward with NW continuing at all times to keep his wrap on HN’s upper body. It was the momentum of the tackle as opposed to any reckless act by NW that took both players to the ground.

Further, HN chose to go to ground as opposed to losing hold of the ball which can be seen to be slipping from his grasp as a consequence of NW’s wrapping and HN’s own forward momentum. When they went to the ground HN landed on top of NW and it was not a case of HN purposefully or recklessly making contact with HN’s legs. HN effectively gave up in the tackle and went to ground to avoid losing the ball. It was that mechanism that that took them to the ground with NW making some limited contact with HN’s legs in the process. NW did not “lunge” at HN.

The contemporaneous reactions of the other players on both sides and also the experienced referee who was nearby and looking at the tackle throughout do not support the argument that the tackle was dangerous or reckless. No player, nor the referee, reacted to the tackle in any way. The more distant but differently angled camera view of the tackle from the other side of the pitch (which the MRP did not see) supports these arguments.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

In all these circumstances, and applying the principles set out at D4.2 of the Operating Rules (the burden & standard of proof), it cannot properly be concluded by the Tribunal that this tackle was a reckless as opposed to a careless act.

The explanations advanced in some detail by NW and his club have some merit and raise sufficient doubt about the MRP’s view that the act was reckless as opposed to careless.

Therefore, the 1-match suspension will be replaced by a fine of £250 on the basis that the offence should be assessed as a Grade A, not Grade B, offence. The deposited bond of £500 will not be forfeit.