The Reds will be without prop Sef Fa’agase for Friday’s clash against the Rebels, while star Melbourne recruit Taniela Tupou is vowing he won’t allow the match with his former side to become personal as they strive for three wins on the trot.
As reported by The Roar on Tuesday, George Blake is set to replace Fa’agase after the loose-head prop copped a four-match ban for his tackle on Chiefs flanker Simon Parker. It’s just one of a number of changes expected, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips firming for a debut start.
While referee Ben O’Keeffe allowed play to continue, Fa’agase was forced from the field shortly after making head contact with Parker in the 36th minute.
But the SANZAAR Judicial Committee saw things differently, saying Fa’agase didn’t do enough to avoid the contact despite an obvious dip in the legs and hips.
“Following the World Rugby Head Contact Process (HCP), the Committee assessed the player’s actions as having directly contacted the head, at speed, with high force and without the required mitigating factors to warrant a reduction from a red card,” Judicial Committee Chair, Michael Heron KC said.
The Judicial Committee thoroughly considered all factors of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process and sanctioning table and concluded that the foul play warranted a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. After taking into account mitigating factors such as the Player’s remorse, disciplinary history, and conduct throughout the hearing, the sanction was reduced to 4 weeks.”
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Reds prop Sef Fa’agase has copped a four-match ban for a high shot on Chiefs flanker Simon Parker. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
His absence will likely see Peni Ravai called up to start, with the Fijian international to face a big test against Tupou following the Wallaby’s high profile move down south.
The Test prop joined the Rebels this season on a huge money deal, having started his career with the Reds back in 2016 and going on to win 88 caps.
Melbourne have a number of other former Queensland players in their side, including lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, prop Sam Talakai, hooker Alex Mafi and outside back Filipo Daugunu – all of whom have started the season strongly.
Ahead of their round four Friday night clash at AAMI Park, Tupou said he still has plenty of close mates in the Reds ranks and has been happy to see them start the season – like the Rebels – with two wins from three games.
Queensland turned in a rock-solid defensive display to shock the title-favourite Chiefs last weekend, and sit third on the ladder.
Taniela Tupou says he doesn’t want to make Friday’s clash against his former club “personal”, but he won’t shy away from trying to hurt his old teammates. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
Melbourne ran over the top of Moana Pasifika in New Zealand and are in fourth spot.
“I watched the game and they’re looking really good – Les Kiss and the coaching staff are doing a really good job,” Tupou said.
He admitted facing his good mates was something he’d struggled with in the past.
“I used to find it hard to go against guys I’d known for a long time, my mates, but now if I have to hurt them to make us win then I have to do it,” Tupou said.
“It’s something I struggled with in the past but I’ve got better over time.”
The 27-year-old Wallabies front-rower said he won’t let the personal nature of the match-up become a distraction.
“It’s just another game,” he said.
“Coming into this week, I don’t want to look at it and make it personal, I will just try and focus on what we do here and do whatever it takes to get us the win.”
With AAP
GusTee
Roar Pro
Did they reassess the smack to the head that Harry Potter received from Toole?
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Cheers pm. Very magnanimous of you, I appreciate it. :thumbup: :rugby:
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
:laughing: I remember an Aussie mate - ex GPS schoolboy - being asked by a posh Englishman what sort of school he went to. He blew up at him "What the f*** does it matter?"
jameswm
Roar Guru
True, he did, as he straightened his legs.
pm
Roar Rookie
Definitely true in my experience of posh english people. I don't think there is such a thing as a posh Aussie anyway. Just some of us who think we are.
pm
Roar Rookie
I owe you a late apology btw, JD. I remember arguing with you on the France-SA result on BOK 's refereeing. He actually was good in that game, as you said. Watched it back a few weeks ago, with all the heat gone and I still think there were one or two the TMo should have looked at but as live refereeing went BOK did a very good job; managed the contests very well and got as much as could be expected reasonably correct.
Redbeard
Roar Rookie
Did the SANZAAR review committee reassess the Lynagh late hit?
Dean
Roar Rookie
As a REDS fan and a huge fan of Taniela, it is going to be tough match to watch. I wish both teams all the best, but do hope that my team gets up. I'm still disappointed that we lost Tupou, I think he would have improved under Kiss as well.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
That'll be because the Big Brother kiwis control Super Rugby, obviously.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
That's a very classist statement PK :laughing: In my experience well educated posh people are just as likely to be boofheads. Same goes for kiwis and Aussies of course. Every country has its share of course.
nroko
Roar Rookie
Yellow card if clear and obvious, followed by strict post match citing process to ensure all head contacts are reviewed, players suspended and teams fined. They can also change to nipple height law. Players are coached to tackle high so they can wrap and prevent offloads. The nipple height would make most up right tackles illegal, head contact or not, makes it easier to adjudicate the game but also reducing the risk of head injury in tackles. Plus more offloads as a bonus. The Sef case is a tackle gone wrong. The onus is on tackler to get lower, we see it often especially in the NH the chop tackle that happens very low. I'm sure some solutions lie within NFL that could be incorporated in rugby, they the most professional contact sport with a history or head injury issues.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I agree, the problem is the current frameworks is a default Red card. Make it a default yellow card and this would never have gone to the tribunal and the refs call would have stood unchallenged.
pm
Roar Rookie
Hard to see how it should be red when both the tackler and the ball-carrier had lowered height. Really what can the tackler do? Let him pass a little then ackle from the side? If he truly keeps his head low he probably gets knocked out or neck-injured by the carrier’s arms
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
Totally concur Olly. Why can't supposedly smart men understand that Rugby cannot possibly be played safely for 80 minutes? Accidents happen and we have to listen to a "war and peace" explanation from Committee Chair Michael Heron (who ever he is) why Sef deserves to miss 4 matches. And that punishment was down-graded. The red card was an utter disgrace and for a change, BOK and TMO were spot on with their assessment at the time. Why we then have to go over and over again discussing this incident and implement a ludicrous punishment for an accidental head-clash just confirms to me how far officialdom have lost their way.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Looking forward to this match. Reds to mop the floor with them!
savant
Roar Rookie
Orwells 1984 must be required reading in NZ. What a fine example of double think. There’s never been any consequence from preferential decisions made by kiwi referees in Australia.
savant
Roar Rookie
Clearly judiciary decisions form no precedent.
savant
Roar Rookie
The Force provided the template to beat the Rebels. Play a very high tempo game. Pick n drive with the Reds back 5 who are all highly mobile.
savant
Roar Rookie
I think the key point here is not that Heron is a KC. It’s that’s he’s a kiwi. And the kiwi side lost to an Australian side. Someone has to be punished for that and it’s clearly not going to be Finau!
PeterK
Roar Guru
its not as if nz fans are any easier on refs, since rugby is followed by all levels of society in nz they are probably worse, since it s generally the better off and better educated following rugby in aust