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The Brumbies have opted to fight Len Ikitau’s red card at SANZAAR’s Judicial Committee on Tuesday night in a bid to have him cleared for the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against Auckland Blues.
Ikitau was sent off for a high hit on Hurricanes flyhalf Aidan Morgan during the Brumbies’ 35-25 victory on Saturday.
“Following initial consideration by the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee, Len Ikitau of the Brumbies will appear at a SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing after being red carded for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby Pacific quarter final match at the weekend,” SANZAAR said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Ikitau is alleged to have contravened Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, during the match between the Brumbies and Hurricanes at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday 4 June 2022.”
While a ban of more than three weeks could cost him a Test jersey for the July 2 match against England that is considered to be extremely unlikely. If found guilty Ikitau is looking at a three-week ban thanks to clean prior record and he could conceivably serve time at club rugby level for Tuggeranong before the series against England kicks off, according to sources. There is also the potential to have a week trimmed for undergoing an education course.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Tolu Lau’s potential return to the Waratahs appears on course with senior figures at Rugby Australia and the club speaking with cautious optimism about the controversial hooker’s comeback to Australian rugby.
Latu was cut adrift by Stade Francais after copping an 11-week ban that would keep him out of action until until September.
“I just think if Tolu Latu wants to come back, that’s the beautiful thing about sport, it’s got a number of redemption stories in it,” RA CEO Andy Marinos told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“He’s obviously had a difficult time overseas and he’s got quite a lengthy ban that he’s coming back with. Is he a talented player? Yes. Can he add value? Absolutely.
“Wherever he decides he’s going to come back and he decides he wants to play, we’ve got to work with them around that reintroduction of him into Australian rugby at a club level. We’ll see how he goes. I’m sure they’ll look at him if he’s putting his hand up.”
The Herald said any deal for Latu would have to be ratified by the RA and NSW Rugby boards, and Tahs CEO Paul Doorn said the Waratahs were “a long way away yet” from taking it to theirs.
He said players deserved second chances – although it could be argued Latu has had more than that already.
“We have some really good examples where players have come to the Waratahs under some sort of challenging circumstances, and to date you have to trust the coach about what they’re trying to achieve, alongside our ability to be able to manage players,” Doorn said.
Former Wales flyhalf James Hook has named a dream team of opponents during his career and Aussies George Gregan and George Smith made the list. While Smith was an undoubted superstar, Hook’s reasoning may have more to do with his generosity off the pitch.
“He asked me to put in a word for him after he was cited for catching me with his knee when he was playing for Wasps and I was playing for Gloucester,” Hook wrote in Wales Online.
“I had a look at the incident and there was nothing in it, so I did some batting for him and he was let off, allowing him to play in a big game for Wasps the following weekend.
“He rang me afterwards and asked what he could do as a way of expressing gratitude. I told him just to buy me a vodka and Red Bull when he saw me next. To be fair, he sent a big bottle of limited edition Grey Goose vodka to Kingsholm the following week to thank me. He didn’t need to do that.
“But he was also outstanding over the ball and a strong carrier. There weren’t many better back-rowers than the Australian.”
Carter Gordon has re-committed to the Rebels until at least the end of 2024.
The 21-year-old playmaker has made 20 Super Rugby appearances over two seasons for the Rebels, including starting in the Club’s final five matches of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Gordon said re-committing the Rebels was ultimately an easy decision.
“I’ve really enjoyed my last two seasons at the Rebels,” said Gordon in a statement.
“I’ve learned a lot from the players and coaches, and you can feel we are building something here, so I’m absolutely stoked to call Melbourne home for another two years.
“It’s been awesome also having my brother (Mason) at the Club. We’ve pushed each other our whole lives, so to be able to do it in this environment is great and something we don’t take for granted.
“I’m now focused on getting my body into a really good place, so I can hit the ground running and give myself every opportunity to play some good rugby next season.”
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote said Gordon’s re-commitment was great news for the Rebels, following the recent re-signings of Cabous Eloff, James Tuttle and Brad Wilkin.
“It’s great to have another exciting talent like Carter stay on in Melbourne and commit to the Rebels for another two years,” said Foote.
“Carter is a player with tremendous potential and someone who’s really grown in his second season at our Club as both a playmaker and someone who remains composed under pressure on the Super Rugby stage.
“Carter’s commitment shows great faith in our rugby program and the talent we have both now and lined up for next season.”
Carter Gordon re-committing to the Rebels until at least the end of 2024.
At just 21 years old, Gordon is regarded as one of the most exciting young playmakers in the country, having arrived in Melbourne at the end of 2020, alongside his younger brother, Mason.
A crucial member of both the Australian Schoolboys and Junior Wallabies programs in 2018, Gordon made his professional debut in last year’s Super Rugby AU clash against the Waratahs in Sydney, before playing every game of the Rebels’ 2021 Trans-Tasman campaign.
The exciting fly-half has since gone on to make twenty Super Rugby appearances over two seasons for the Rebels, including starting in the Club’s final five matches of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Gordon said re-committing the Rebels was ultimately an easy decision.
“I’ve really enjoyed my last two seasons at the Rebels,” said Gordon.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“I’ve learned a lot from the players and coaches, and you can feel we are building something here, so I’m absolutely stoked to call Melbourne home for another two years.
“It’s been awesome also having my brother (Mason) at the Club. We’ve pushed each other our whole lives, so to be able to do it in this environment is great and something we don’t take for granted.
“I’m now focused on getting my body into a really good place, so I can hit the ground running and give myself every opportunity to play some good rugby next season.”
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote said Gordon’s re-commitment was great news for the Rebels, following the recent re-signings of Cabous Eloff, James Tuttle and Brad Wilkin.
“It’s great to have another exciting talent like Carter stay on in Melbourne and commit to the Rebels for another two years,” said Foote.
“Carter is a player with tremendous potential and someone who’s really grown in his second season at our Club as both a playmaker and someone who remains composed under pressure on the Super Rugby stage.
“Carter’s commitment shows great faith in our rugby program and the talent we have both now and lined up for next season.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.