Rugby news from the Home of the Kings:
TERTIUS KRUGER GETS THE GREEN LIGHT AFTER RED CARD RESCINDED:
The Isuzu Southern Kings have been given a boost ahead of the Guinness PRO14 Round 19 match against Dragons when a Guinness PRO14 disciplinary committee rescinded a red card handed to centre Tertius Kruger in the side’s recent match against Ulster over a week ago.
Kruger was given a red card in the 68th minute of the match at Kingspan Stadium on March 23. Scottish match referee, Lloyd Linton, on the advice of the Television Match Official (TMO) ruled that Kruger had committed a dangerous “no arms” tackle with contact to the head on Ulster winger, Robert Baloucoune.
The punishment was followed by a disciplinary hearing on Thursday, March 28.
The disciplinary committee was unanimously of the view that there was no act of foul play from Kruger.
“The position of the Player’s (Kruger) head at the time of collision is entirely consistent with his evidence that [Baloucoune] slipped and fell into him. [Kruger] stood his ground but had turned to watch the flight of the ball which had been offloaded by [Baloucoune]. [Kruger] made no attempt to effect a tackle or indeed to interact with [Baloucoune] in any way. [Baloucoune] clearly loses his footing after the offload, slips and falls into the [Kruger]. This is corroborated by the statement of [Baloucoune],” read the decision from the Guinness PRO14 Disciplinary Committee.
“In the view of the Committee, this was a rugby collision which did not involve any act of foul play by [Kruger]. The Committee was unable to identify anything done by [Kruger] that either amounted to a contravention of the laws of the game, or contributed to the collision – other than standing his ground, which he was entitled to do.
“In these circumstances, the red card is rescinded.”
Following the decision Kruger will now be available for selection when the Isuzu Southern Kings take on Dragons at the Nelson Mandela University’s Madibaz Stadium on Sunday.
Head Coach Deon Davids welcomed the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
“I am very pleased that the card has been rescinded because we can build a bit of continuity now,” Davids said.
“The decision at the end of the day cannot be reversed. It came at a critical time of the game when we conceded those cards to Tertius and [a yellow card for] hooker Alandre van Rooyen. It had a huge impact on the outcome.
“Looking back at this year I think we were a bit unlucky at times. Maybe this is a change of luck and something that rewards us for the times when we have been under fire. I am glad that we can use Tertius this weekend.”
ENDS
Super Rugby Match Officials Rd.8
