Brumbies centre Len Ikitau suspended following red card

Wed, Jun 8, 2022, 6:15 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Brumbies centre Len Ikitau saw red for this high shot on Aidan Morgan.

Brumbies centre Len Iktiau has been suspended for three weeks following his high tackle on Aidan Morgan.

Ikitau was sent off during their 35-25 victory over the Hurricanes after collecting the flyhalf in the head.

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The club opted to challenge the ruling in order to have him cleared for Saturday's semi-final against the Blues.

However, SANZAAR's Judiciary Committee deemed the incident was worthy of a mid-range sanctioning, seeing his suspension reduced from six games to three on account of his clean record.

"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, Aaron Lloyd, the Judicial Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13," Judicial Committee Chair Stephen Hardy ruled in a statement.

"With respect to sanction, the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 matches given the nature of the foul play involving contact with the head.

"Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player’s remorse, exemplary judicial record to date, and conduct during the hearing, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by three matches."

Ikitau has applied for Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention, which will see the ban reduced by a week.

This will likely ensure he is cleared to play in the first Test against England if called upon by Dave Rennie on July 3.

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"The Player sought permission to apply for the Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention. Any player who has a citing or red card upheld by a disciplinary panel for foul play involving the Head Contact Process may apply to have the final match of their sanction substituted by undertaking a coaching intervention that specifically addresses the technical tackle/contact technique-error that caused or contributed to the foul play," they added.

"The Player was granted permission to apply for the Intervention. This intervention will be overseen by the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Expert Review Panel – a panel of expert independent coaches - and is only be available to first time offenders.

"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks. The Judicial Committee has sought more feedback from the Player regarding his potential playing schedule and reserves the right to adjust the date of the sanction upon receipt of the information."

Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi was also banned for a week for his fourth yellow card of the season, sin-binned late in the defeat.

He is joined on the sidelines by Highlanders hooker Andrew Makalio, who was handed a three-match ban for his high tackle during their loss to the Blues.

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