Sef Fa'agase suspended for 4 weeks

The SANZAAR Judicial Committee has found Sef Fa’agase (Player) of the Reds guilty of contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, after he was cited during a Super Rugby Pacific match at the weekend.

Fa’agase has been suspended from all forms of the game up to and including 12 April 2024.

The incident occurred in the 35th minute of the match between the Reds and Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 9 March 2024.

The Judicial Committee (Committee) comprised Michael Heron KC (Chair), Chris Smith and John Langford who assessed the case.

In his finding, the Judicial Committee Chair, Michael Heron KC, ruled the following:

"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the Player and submissions from his legal representative, Mark Martin KC, the Judicial Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.13."

“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.

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.

"The Player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including 12 April 2024.”