Case Number:

ON/1539/23

Jacob Miller #7, Castleford

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers

Match Date:

2023-09-02

Incident:

Dangerous Throw

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (d)

Dangerous Throw – lifting opponent into a dangerous position.

Grade C

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 4th September 2023, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 01 14 05 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have lifted your opponent into a dangerous position. The Panel believed your actions were unnecessary, had the potential for 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 C offence – Dangerous Throw – lifting opponent into a dangerous position.

The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 to a 2-Match suspension.

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

• Mr Miller was sin binned following the incident

• MRP were concerned at the way Mr Miller completed the tackle

• Mr Miller is first into the tackle and makes initial contact but immediately begins to lift the leg of his opponent

• The player extends his legs from crouched to a straight position

• Opponent is twisted and his hips are above his head
• Mr Miller’s elbow is pointed upwards and the legs of the opponent Mr Matautia at their highest point are almost turned to 180 degrees

• Opponent extends arm and rolls body to prevent head being first part of the body to hit the ground. Opponent comes down on shoulder with head making secondary contact on the ground

• Serious risk of injury, due to this dangerous action

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

Player in attendance alongside Danny Wilson (Director of Rugby). Player pleads guilty but challenges the grading.

DW explained that they did not deny the throw but they felt the grading should be lowered to a Grade A offence. This was due to the fact it was a low one on one tackle which saw JM try and rotate the opponent to try and complete the tackle with him on top.

In this instance the opponent had the momentum and was stronger than JM. JM had no time to adjust due to the speed involved but he did keep tight to the opponent as he tried to rotate him. This was a careless tackle and not reckless. The opponent had written a letter of support for JM.

JM then talked the Tribunal through the incident. He explained the opponent stepped late of his right foot and that he was in effect trying to be a speed bump.

DW added that JM was sin-binned for the tackle at was a crucial time in a big game for the club.

JM concluded he was devasted to have received a suspension at a time when there is a big finish to the season to come, which saw his side have just three games left.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Grade C due to:
- Unnecessary nature of the upwards lifting motion
- Angle of attacker coming into ground is steep meaning there is a high likelihood of the head or neck being the first part of the body to contact the ground
- Defender afforded no credit for the actions of the attacker to protect his fall
- Potential for serious injury

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions. They have listened carefully sand watched footage of the incident several times.

After careful consideration they are in agreement that the grading to the charge is correct at Grade B. They feel that the tackle was reckless and posed an obvious risk of danger to the opponent which could have had potential to cause serious injury. Only the actions of the opponent stopped him landing on his head or neck.

The challenge to the penalty notice is therefore unsuccessful and the imposed 1-match suspension will remain in place. The player will also be fined £500.

The Tribunal do not feel the challenge was frivolous or unreasonable therefore an additional match is not added in this instance.

Suspension:

1 match