Ray Nu’u’s miserable Super Rugby season took another turn for the worse on Wednesday when he was banned for four weeks after his red card in his comeback game following an earlier three-game suspension.
The Melbourne Rebels centre was sent off for his second game in a row, in the 81st minute of the Rebels’ clash with Moana Pasifika for a high shot on playmaker Christian Lealiifano and that is likely to rule him out for the rest of the Rebels’ campaign.
The SANZAAR judiciary reduced the suspension by two weeks, even though Nu’u was just back in action after his three-week suspension for another red card for the same offence – breaching Law 9.13 – ‘A player must not tackle an opponent early late or dangerously’.
“With respect to sanction, the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby directive that mandates that any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range entry level,” SANZAAR ruled.
“Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player’s remorse, young age, and conduct at the hearing; the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by two weeks.”
The SANZAAR statement ignored Nu’u’s previous suspension and The Roar expert Brett McKay was among those surprised by the length of ban.
With four rounds remaining, starting with the Blues on Friday night in Auckland, and the Rebels unlikely to play finals, Nu’u is set to see out the season from the stands.
In other judiciary news, Crusaders lock Hamish Dalzell was suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle in the second half of their loss to the NSW Waratahs.
Tahs prop Harry Johnson-Holmes could be out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against the Crusader.
“Harry picked up a nasty knee injury, so he’ll be racing the clock to get back for the season,” coach Darren Coleman told the Big Sports Breakfast.
“Harry is a loss. Harry has been really stable for us up front. He’s quite industrious and he’s a big part of the social glue.“
Michael Hooper will also be missing this week after suffering a concussion last week.
“Hoops got stung there, so he’ll sit out a week with his melon,” Coleman said.
Meanwhile, the Herald reported that Fijian international Nemani Nadolo, 34, will be signed by the Waratahs for the end of the 2023 season after his contract at Leicester ends.
Scott Robertson reacted to the surprise loss to the Waratahs last weekend with a comprehensive review that stung his players.
Halfback Bryn Hall said the focus on the Crusaders’ poor start – they were down 14-0 in a flash – was particularly hurtful.
“Look, we’re going to lose games, we’ve lost games in the past, but when you question around our start and were we really there, and having those kind of [mindset] questions … it hurts as a player,” Hall said.
“I think for us, it’s the kind of traits that we live by that we weren’t living up to. That’s probably the most thing that hurt.”
Captain Codie Taylor said after the game finished that the Waratahs wanted the win more than the Kiwi team.
“It’s fair comments,” said Hall. “If you look at that first 20-30 minutes, you can’t really question it.
“That’s probably what hurt for us, we have a standard that we want to live up to and I have this crest on my right chest that we live by…”
Sydney Morning Herald rugby writer Georgina Robinson, speaking on the The Roar Rugby Podcast on Wednesday, questioned the Crusaders’ attitude.
“This isn’t going to go down well everywhere but I wonder if there might have been a bit of complacency,” said Robinson.
Host Brett McKay added: “Watching them play it looked like they felt they could just roll into Sydney and smack the Waratahs.”
While co-host Harry Jones agreed: “The Crusaders did not take the Waratahs seriously. The Crusaders thought ‘we’re going to roll over them, we’re going to stomp on them’.”
Jones said that a few years ago the Tahs would have folded when the Crusaders finally woke up but “this time they hung in there.”
Robinson warned that the Kiwi teams would bounce back.
“Every time this happens the Kiwis respond and they’re good at doing that,” Robinson said.
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Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has been released by his French club Stade Francais after his 11-week ban ended a controversial time at the Parisian club.
Latu has been linked with a move back to the Waratahs to attempt to claim a place in the Wallabies’ squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup but so far the NSW team, who are happy with the progress of Dave Porecki, have been tight lipped on a potential return.
“Thanks to our hooker Tolu Latu for these three seasons,” the Parisians posted on Twitter.
“We wish you the best for what’s to come.
“Have a safe trip back home,” they added.
Latu scored six tries, was shown two red and seven yellow cards in 54 appearances for Stade Francais.
“It’s with a heavy heart I announce I’m leaving the club,” Latu said on Instagram.
“It’s time for me to go home and start the next chapter of my rugby.”
Australia’s top-ranked Super Rugby Pacific side, the Brumbies, have some unfinished business in New Zealand starting with the Chiefs on Saturday.
The Brumbies have won their last two against Kiwi opposition, beating the Highlanders in Melbourne and then the Hurricanes in Canberra, to sit second overall on the competition ladder.
But last year, like the four other Australian teams, the Brumbies struggled on New Zealand soil.
They lost all three games there and only managed one victory from two games in Canberra, with a two-point win over the Hurricanes their best result.
Their Wallabies winger Tom Wright said last year’s results had stung the team.
“Without making it about last year there’s definitely a bit of a burning sensation for a few of us,” Wright said on Tuesday in Canberra.
“We went over there last year and got touched up a little bit so definitely looking to make amends on what happened then so it’s a good opportunity for us.”
The Chiefs were 51-27 winners against the Waratahs during Super Round while they edged Queensland by two points in an ugly affair last weekend.
They sit fourth on the table and will fancy their chances against the Brumbies back home at FMG Stadium in Waikato.
Wright said his team had taken lessons from the New Zealanders to try beat them at their own game.
“It’s a little bit of tempo,” he said when asked what changes the Brumbies had made in the last 12 months to prepare for the Kiwi sides.
“On the weekend, we looked good when we played off the cuff and Whitey (Nic White) and Loners (Ryan Lonergan) were jumping out and looking threatening around the ruck.
“We’re trying to play in and out of structure … and take opportunities around the middle part of the field where the Kiwis have been really good.
“Tip our hat to them – we took a few things from stuff they do and it’s working for us.”
(With AAP)
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Paulo
Roar Rookie
That’s actually a pretty apt description of him :thumbup: What we wouldn’t give to have someone like him back in the Red n Black… I think the sledge was a bit rough though. There is no way he would have been in the way of that pass, he would have been hanging out on the other wing, over on the wrong side. :laughing:
James584
Roar Rookie
Certainly one of the greatest ever players and captains. And a gentleman and a very clean player. But Reds Harry is probably right, Richie was also ruthless and cagey. And mentioning a great of the game 7 years after he retires is fine by me.
Adam (Though An Imposter)
Roar Rookie
The Nadolo signing is just weird. He's going to be, what, 36 by the time he gets on the field for the Tahs? Also, it's so far ahead. End of the 2023 season? What state will he be in then? Impossible to know. Seems like a missed spot to develop a youngster.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
So, the Tahs win, and you still manage to have a go at a player retired for 7 years, and who has been lauded as one of the best to have played the game (even from people outside NZ)? Wow, the scars must run pretty deep. Sorry mate :silly:
CUW
Roar Rookie
it was a shoulder charge - and White milked it for all its worth , even the aussy commentary team had a huge laugh :laughing: there is huge inconsistencies in reffing high shots this year and its going to be a problem for southern teams when tests come up. for eg - there was a huge head shot on a crusaders player by a waratahs player which was not even reviewed - but the crusaders player went off concussed. in europe every injury is reviewed - irrespective of situation and cleared or looked further. not seeing this in super rugger - few weeks back a hurricanes players shoulder charge on a highlander was missed - but later red carded by match review. i think super rugger has a long way to go as far as TMO use is concerned - maybe they need to get off the high horse and have a look at how its done in gallagher and urc.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Would have loved to hear the Saders review. You can bet the openside got a huge ticking off for obeying the law and the spirit of rugby by making a big effort not to get in the way of the fast pass of Gordon to the Tahs winger for the first try. Richie would never have done that, he would have got in the way of that pass with the look of innocence, and whinged like crazy if per chance he was penalised.
piru
Roar Rookie
Well yeah, as I said, seems a very low bar
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And Bell
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Do you blame Berry for being reluctant to issue a RED? No matter how bad it looked he would be very gun shy.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And yet here you are on an article "banging away"
Wobbly Knees
Roar Rookie
Sorry to hear HJH is out I feel hes been having his best season so far. Latu will never change hes not smart enough to realize his errant ways. I have been reading about the red cards and lengths of suspension here this morning and how it seems there is a certain amount of inconsistency with the way the judiciary handles itself . So who makes up the judiciary for these hearings is it ex players ,ex coaches, barristers , lawyers or ex player administrators, all people that have been in the game and have a biased view of laws in a players favor to some degree to come up with the strictest disciplinary needs without endangering their career yet are seen to be doing something positive to get a result for those baying for blood. Showing remorse at a hearing is one thing but remorse really only works at the ending of your sentence and education really only works during your entire sentence. Maybe a second visit to the judiciary should be required before the suspended player gets back on the field.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Wasting your time asking Paul D to read or see anything properly. Apparently he watched the Bell tackle 50+ times yet still insists Bell didnt lift with his arm between Canes legs. Proof positive he will only ever see what he wants to see.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You take it somewhere else. Bell did a spear tackle. ( dont downplay it by calling it a tip tackle ) and he got sent from the field only for it to be downgraded to a YC so what you say is incorrect. Giant bogeyman? Thats in your head not mine.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Dalzell nutted two blokes in 5 minutes. He’d be needing two weeks for HIA return to play protocol so he got a week for two high tackles. Bargain
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
What alternatives did he have? Can’t change his age so he could only have turned up at judiciary in tracky dacks and told the esteemed gentlemen, he didn’t give a steamer.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
There is a net positive benefit, as a deterrent. The message we send giving a repeat offender further benefit of being young and contrite is that players see we are only a bit serious about stamping out head contact. With his recent history I thought he’d get the 6 plus a few more. 4 wasn’t in my thinking at all. It was a reckless dangerous charge at a player with contact direct to the head. FFS, if we don’t throw the book for that, then what?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Noise is fine. Banging on about a decision by a judiciary for more than a week is not permitted
Lukas
Roar Pro
Mate, if you or your kid was in the dock, I'm not sure you'd want the judge to say something like the following: "the defendant is correct to point out the complexities of this issue, but imposing a custodial sentence or not, and deciding the length of said sentence, is the only tool I have at my disposal. This is your second offence, and despite my accepting that it was an accident and that you tried your best to avoid the situation, the facts are that you failed at that effort. And given my above point regarding no other tools at my disposal, I am forced to more or less pressume that a tougher sentence is the only way to deal with repeat offenders." So personally, I don't want judges or the judiciary in rugby doing this. I don't want them imposing harsher sanctions unless they're pretty sure it will be of net positive benefit. In this case, I'm not sure they were, so they took the only other option available to them and gave him a lighter penalty. One would hope that all concerned are busy meeting behind closed doors looking at other solutions.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
The biggest hurdle for the AB's ATM, Overthehill, is the coach that's there at present. Don't be surprised to see him playing a known hooker at fullback.