Queensland Reds openside flanker Liam Gill has been suspended for two weeks by the SANZAR for his suplex-like tackle on Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White.
WATCH THE TACKLE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
The suspension means Gill will miss the Reds’ match against against the Lions on 27 March. The Reds have the bye next round, but because the Reds were going to ask Gill be released to play club rugby, he will only miss one Super Rugby match.
The incident occurred in the 47th minute of the Brumbies comprehensive win over the Reds, and saw Gill earn a yellow card.
SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Robert Stelzner SC made the following observations in his ruling.
“As the Duty Judicial Officer, I considered all of the evidence before me including the video footage, Citing Commissioner’s report, medical information for the Brumbies’ player, Nic White, who was involved in the incident and the submissions made by the player, Liam Gill, and his representatives.
“After taking all relevant facts into consideration, I found the incident to have a lower end entry point for breaching of 10.4 (j) Lifting Tackle which stipulates a four-week suspension.
“The incident was indeed a lifting tackle, but given its unusual features, referred to hereafter more fully, it did not warrant an increase from the entry level sanction to serve as a deterrent, which would have been the case had it been the more usual type of ‘tip tackling’ performed on a player running with the ball.
“The lifting tackle in this case occurred in a ruck when the player pulled his opponent, who was lying over the ball, out of the ruck, lifted and turned him through the horizontal over his hip causing his opponent to cart wheel before hitting the ground. The player conceded that the lifting and turning his smaller opponent in this manner placed the opponent at risk of serious injury. The player stated he acted out of frustration and ‘instinctively’ in his attempts to contest for the ball.
“The tackle was reckless, carried with it a real risk of serious injury, but at the same time was not the normal type of lifting tackling referred to above in which the players’ momentum adds to the danger. In this case his opponent did not land on his head as a result of the player twisting and throwing the player over his hip, causing his opponent to fall on his side. There was no driving of the player into the ground nor total disregard for his opponent’s safety. The tackled player was able to continue playing after the incident.
“The player received a yellow card and his side conceded a try in the same phase as the incident and another while he was off the field. His actions and subsequent sanction significantly disadvantaged his team at an important time in the match.
“Mitigating factors taken into account for determining final sanction include the player admitted the offence. He has an exemplary disciplinary record having never been cited before and has represented Australia at both U20 and Test level. His contribution to rugby in general has been outstanding and he clearly expressed remorse for committing the offence and for having tarnished his record with this incident. I considered a 50 per cent reduction in suspension was appropriate after taking these mitigating factors into account. As a result, a two-week sanction was considered to be appropriate.
“The player’s playing schedule is such that the Reds have a bye during Round 6 of Super Rugby followed by a match against the Lions on 27 March 2015. The player was scheduled to be released to play in a club match for his club side Sunnybank in the Queensland Premier Rugby Competition. I asked for direct evidence from the Reds representatives as to the history of Reds players being released to play in club matches and whether other players are also scheduled to play in the bye round.
“The Reds submitted that a bye week at this stage of the season meant players still needed match practice and they would be releasing contracted players to play during the Reds bye. The player himself has played a number of times for Sunnybank when available over recent seasons. Sunnybank play a match on 21 March against Brothers in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition. I accepted that this club match be included in the suspension period and would make a meaningful sanction for the player.
“Accordingly, the player is suspended for two weeks up to and including 28 March 2015.”
I Know Everything
Guest
Dear Karl, if Gill had put White in a wheel chair you'd probably say that's OK because Gill is an "outstanding man". Gill's "tackle" could very easily have gone very wrong, and no one on this planet could say otherwise no matter how dimwitted they are. Such "play" must be eliminated from the game without favour to the instigators. Additionally, Graham needs to make a real statement to the Reds & a no nonsense "no dickheads" policy wouldn't go astray i.e. as I said originally drop Gill to club rugby, that message might sink into the rest of them.
mikeylives
Guest
"Drunken vandalism" - Hilarious. Not that Hooper was actually involved.... But who can honestly put their hand up and say they've NEVER p1ss3d on a tree in public when heading somewhere on foot after a few beers?
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
+ 1 :)
Handles
Roar Guru
Sure. Being involved in drunken vandalism when you are the Wallaby captain is forgotten within a month, but an in game incident settles the debate forever, and somehow knocks Pocock on the head as well. That is what I call a long bow.
William Tell
Guest
It looked a lot worse than it was - my point. It was a rotating and rolling event - not a dead drop under the weight of an opponent from a metre up, driven straight into the ground. Barging into a ruck, leading with the shoulder into an unprepared opponent; wrestling the head and neck of a player in a ruck, unable to evade because he is pinned in - those are much more likely to produce serious injury.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
William. Goodness gracious me. To liken the Gill/ White incident to your grandchildren doing rolly pollies and handstands is utter nonsense. Please tell me you’re having a laugh. If any one, you included, ever lifted and flipped a grandchild of yours in this manner, I would suggest they would be in serious trouble.
Funk
Guest
"He picked him up and slammed him down. People don’t play rugby and expect that!!!!!" you played in the backs didn't you? definitely not a forward!!!
Crash Ball2
Guest
Sponge, I'm not so sure this incident definitively indicates anything about Hooper. He is a top shelf, test-standard openside; but you could genuinely argue that 2 or 3 Aussie 7's are having better seasons than him at this point in the season. This is without Pocock even re-entering the fray.
William Tell
Guest
My grandkids do rolly-pollies as "dangerous" as the flip that White copped. He wasn't "lifted" - as in from a standing position - and body slammed on his head. He was flipped - and nowhere near as dangerously as you see when a tackler takes a player low and the ball carrier cartwheels - in the air - to land awkwardly. Gill was on the ground. He reached and dragged White out of the ruck on which he was illegally lying. Gill's body position meant that as he dragged White, Gill fell backwards - perhaps he should have let go in the milli-second that happened, but he held on. Producing an on-the-ground rotation of White that landed White on his back. My grandaughter does worse than that overbalancing from a handstand. Not a good thing to happen - but I have seen much worse done eg Palau's shoulder charge where the full force of a heavier player is directed at an unprepared opponent. Some of the clear-outs around rucks - and with shoulders into rucks - seem much more damaging than Gill's efforts Gill gets two weeks - and a recital of his previous good record. Fair outcome.
Magic Sponge
Guest
At least the Gill vs Hooper debate is over, dead and buried and Hooper is now regarded the rightful number 7. Pocock or no Pocock he will hold the 7 Guernsey.
Combesy
Guest
Not disagreeing NB, my point was that there are more hooper-defenders than there are gill. Just an observation that's all
Chris
Guest
Hooper wouldn't be anywhere near the ruck.
Schadenfreude
Guest
That's exactly what I expect in rugby.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I Know Everything, I disagree with your reaction to this. Liam Gill is a credit to the game, he was captain of the U20's and I for one though he was a Wallaby Captain in the making. That was not to be and I fear that his ship has sailed but I think he is still a strong asset to the code and in particular to the Reds. As I understand it, this was the first ever citing bought about by a 'spur of the moment' act for which he acknowledged guilt. Sure it was stupid and a rush of blood but I believe done without intent to injure (though obviously potentially dangerous) I think it was fairly dealt with both on match day and in the judiciary.
Brett McKay
Expert
Ah yes, fair point Andy. I may well have read it too literally..
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Tell you what Mike. Get a big guy to lift you up in the manner White was lifted and then drop you on your back. Then get up, if you can, then tell us it's "a load of crap".
Karl Knuth
Roar Pro
Have a read of the article you drop kick. You who know nothing! Gill is an outstanding man both on and off the field. One sanction! One! In all his years playing rugby, and he deserves to be dropped to club rugby?! Grow a brain
AndyS
Guest
I would have said it was just poor construction, probably meaning “The lifting tackle in this case occurred in a ruck when the player pulled his opponent (who was lying over the ball) out of the ruck..”
Jacks
Guest
He could have killed the guy!!!!! Literally killed the guy. He picked him up and slammed him down. People don't play rugby and expect that!!!!!
Brett McKay
Expert
'Weeks' is the World Rugby standard EJ, on account of all games coming under the WR affiliation..