Melbourne Rebels back-rower Lopeti Timani has been suspended for four weeks by the SANZAAR judiciary for a knee to the head of Brumbies lock Rory Arnold.
The flanker was cited for the incident in the 17th minute of the Rebels’ 19-17 Super Rugby win at AAMI Park on Saturday and copped a yellow card.
Timani pleaded guilty to the charge and has been suspended from all forms of the game up to and including May 13.
The ban could’ve been as long as eight weeks but the panel took into account Timani’s good disciplinary record and his apology to Arnold.
“The Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play, which involved an intentional, but glancing, strike to an opponent’s head… merited a mid range entry point of 8 weeks,” the statement read.
“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s excellent judicial record, his on-field apology to the opposing player, his remorse and his early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 4 weeks.”
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. How does this reconcile with the hard line approach to unintentional high tackles?
piru
Roar Rookie
Absolute dog act in my opinion - I don't know much about the player, but it shows a certain mindset
Fionn
Guest
I agree with all that, James.
jameswm
Guest
He pulled back, but still connected. The bigger worry was why he would think about doing it in the first place.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I thought it probably should have been a red when I saw it, not because it was so damaging, but because of the action, but because of the intent.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yep, and they'd be wrong too, a punch is a punch, if it connects - even if it's a graze it must be a card. Calculated knee to the head of a defenceless player, I was amazed he wasn't sent off.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Plenty of refs have only penalized a player for a punch on the same basis.
piru
Roar Rookie
Should have had a red - I was gobsmacked they let him off with a yellow. "You deliberately kneed him in the head, but because you half missed him it's only a yellow" And was it the same bloke going for the face in fracas a bit later in the game?
Train Without A Station
Guest
Agreed. Should go buy a lotto ticket.
Red Menace
Roar Rookie
What disgrace. Everyone saw it was Arnold who attacked Timani's knee with his head. Bloody Brumbies getting away it again, surely another reason to get rid of them.
ClarkeG
Guest
I have to say the full 50% reduction is rather generous for an act of foul play that was deemed to be mid range on the scale.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Life's full of learning experiences... Timani!?!