Case Detail
Case Number:
ON/1054/24
James Harrison #8, Warrington
Competition:
Super League
Match:
Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants
Match Date:
2024-07-05
Incident:
Late contact 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 B
Sanctions:
1 Match Penalty Notice
Decision On Charge
Player plea:
Not Guilty
Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 8th July 2024, 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 19 36 footage time of the above match. In the Panels opinion you have contacted your opponent after the ball has been released causing flexion to the head and neck area. In the Panel’s opinion they believed your actions to be misconduct 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 – 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 a fine to a 1-Match suspension.
• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident in the above match.
• It is misconduct as soon as a player has contacted an opponent who does not have the ball.
• In this case Mr Harrison, it is clear on the footage, has contacted the opponent Mr Clune after the ball has been released causing flexion to the head and neck of the opponent.
• The MRP apply the guidance note for late contacts on passers and kickers in this instance.
• The MRP opinion is that the following:
- Defending player approaches the tackle in an uncontrolled manner – e.g., enters the tackle at speed
- The defending player fails to moderate his behaviour
- The nature and type of the contact is unnecessary and/or avoidable
- Considerable flexion of head, neck or spinal column to opponent
• Therefore, the MRP are of the opinion that this is a reckless contact which carries a Grade ranging from B to D.
• Assessing all those factors present within this incident, the Match Review Panel are of the opinion that this necessitated a Grade B charge.
Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Player in attendance alongside Sam Burgess (Head Coach) and Gary Chambers (Director of Rugby). Player pleads Not Guilty.
SB talked the panel through the footage. He felt the opponent engaged the defensive line, before JH attempts to perform a regulation tackle. The club feel that the opponent is the one who is engaging contact.
When JH realises the ball has gone he raises his hands and pulls out of executing the tackle. JH is square on and the opponent is front on. Any flexion that may be caused is low or minimum.
The Referee has eyes on the contact and does not feel the need to award a penalty. JH has shown a duty of care to his opponent and did not go through with the tackle. There was not a high amount of force used and contact is no into the back of the opponent.
GC added that this was a left shoulder shot from JH which the opponent had stepped into. JH is “square on” to the opponent and tries to wrap him. This is a split second involved.
JH addressed the panel and said there was intent to cause injury and the opponent had stepped into him. Once he had realised the ball had gone he moved on quickly.
Decision:
Not Guilty
Reasons for Decision:
The Tribunal are in agreement that there is contact made to the opponent after the ball has been passed, however, it is perhaps a pity that the MRP did not have the advantage of seeing the reverse camera angle that the club have provided.
Beyond the fact that contact was made after the ball had been passed, the panel feel there is very little really. The contact was minimally late and there does seem to be an attempt by the player to wrap his arms around his opponent without any sort of follow through which would have made the tackle more forceful.
In terms of flexion, every contact carries with it some flexion and in this instance it is not considerable here by any stretch, and as has been pointed out, the opponent gets up and there is no reaction from the Referee or any players.