Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa will miss the top-of-the-table Super Rugby AU clash with Queensland after being suspended for three weeks.
Alaalatoa was sent off just before halftime in the Brumbies’ thrilling win over Melbourne on Saturday night for a clumsy shot on Pone Fa’amausili, which left the Rebels prop concussed.
Alaalatoa pleaded guilty to the dangerous-tackle charge, with the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee taking into account his clean record and reducing the sanction.
“The Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level,” committee chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled.
“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s clean judicial record and pleading guilty at his first available opportunity the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.”
As well as the Reds on Saturday night in Canberra, the Wallabies prop will also miss games against the Western Force and Waratahs.
Force hooker Andrew Ready has also been banned for three games after being charged with striking in their win over the Waratahs.
His clean judicial record also saw the penalty reduced from six weeks to three, meaning he will miss Friday night’s home clash with the Rebels, as well as encounters with the Reds and Brumbies.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Exactly jamewm, he was in the perfect position to make the tackle, and he bailed out.
jameswm
Roar Guru
"I am at a loss about what AAA should have done differently". I would say drive forward not up.
Chully Bun
Guest
Ready must be fuming as it didn't affect Joe Moodys judicial record after we witnessed him in plain sight forearm jolting that Highlander lock in the head 3 or 4 times who was holding him. Moody wears Rithies cloak of invisiblity. I feel for Ready.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
He also got a smack in the face, so I think a couple of weeks is all good.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
I was wondering about the White shoulder charge as well. A shoulder charge is a yellow under the guidelines. Was simply a cheap shot that was only a penalty.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Every player gets taught to take the ball into contact low. So, it isn't that surprising that Pone dropped his height just before contact. AAA tried to make a high tackle at the shoulder/chest level and drove upwards. No reason he couldn't have gone for the waist and gone cheek to cheek. Red. All. Day.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
A punch is justified after someone swipes their fingers at your eyes
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Yeh Ready doesn’t seem to be a brain surgeon
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
As good as.
Jack
Guest
I am at a loss about what AAA should have done differently. He had his arms extended and aimed at the middle of the chest. Fa’amausili stepped straight at him, lowered his body height and lead with his head. It was his actions that resulted in the horrible outcome. AAA would had to fall backwards in the tackle to avoid the hit. The suspension is harsh. Early in the same game McInerney went in low and coped both of Fa’amausili forearms in his neck and shoulders. Folded the commentators called it. Off injured. If possession was reversed Fa’amausili would have been red carded for the same action. Protecting the head in Rugby means players in possession need to be policed as well.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Yeah... because that’s exactly what I said........
Adsa
Roar Rookie
I wondered about that as well Tooly. My initial reaction was Red to Ready for the punch and Yellow to the Tah player as he struck Ready's face with an open hand, almost a facial. Still dumb by AR, you can't punch another player.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Fair cop but. What about the backhander Ready copped ? What about the clean out on white ? No consistency !
No Arms
Roar Rookie
100% correct- he was provoked into an over the top reaction - players need to show discipline - ain’t easy
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Agree. It doesn’t justify a violent reaction but there should be a big disincentive to that sort of provocation. It was the only time I ever felt like thumping someone.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Why not just ban him from the game and forbid him from playing ever again? No punishment is too harsh right? Seriously it wasn't that bad. When did we become such pearl clutchers?
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
It wasn't a real punch. 6xAs was lucky.
MO
Guest
Yeah. If someone is holding onto you illegally they expected to be punched in the face and could prepare themselves. I thought the AR was saying "Leave him". Shouldn't allow illegal play or the players have to sort themselves out. Perhaps in the modern game there should be no little love tap but instead twist the wrist or break a finger. Probably no sanction coz no strike to the head.
Agree about Ready but I also want to see players who hold other players out of play punished...10mins would do fine but its illegal and it seems the reactor gets punished but not the perpetrator
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Probably a fair result for Alan as it was a "misjudgement". Ready is pretty lucky only getting 3 weeks as his R/C was a deliberate act of foul play (even though the recipient wasn't really hurt).