The following players have attended disciplinary hearings or received a Citing Commissioner Warning or High Risk Contact Technique Warning at the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 in Argentina.

Alfie Barbeary (England)

England reserve hooker Alfie Barbeary appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by José Luis Rolandi (Argentina) along with Frank Hadden (former Scotland coach) and Valeriu Toma (former Romanian referee) in Rosario on 6 June, 2019 following the red card issued by referee Damon Murphy in England’s opening game in the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 against Ireland on 4 June, 2019 in Santa Fe, Argentina, for lifting and dropping an opponent in breach of Law 9.18.

Barbeary accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. The Disciplinary Committee considered this to be mid-range offending which carries a 10-week entry point. The Committee reduced the sanction by the maximum 50 per cent permitted based on the player’s early acceptance of the red card, apology, clean record and good conduct at the hearing, resulting in a five-week final suspension.

The player is suspended for England’s remaining four games in the World Rugby U20 Championship and his first game of the 2019-20 English season.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

The player has 48 hours to appeal from the time he receives the written judicial decision.

Ryan Baird (Ireland)

Ireland second-row Ryan Baird appeared before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by José Luis Rolandi (Argentina) along with Stefan Terblanche (former South African player) and Valeriu Toma (former Romanian referee) in Rosario on 10 June, 2019 following the red card issued by referee Christopher Ridley in Ireland’s match against Australia in the World Rugby U20 Championship on 8 June, 2019 in Santa Fe, Argentina, for a high tackle on Australia’s fly-half Will Harrison in breach of Law 9.13.

The Committee received evidence from Baird, Harrison, the Australian team doctor and the referee as well as a presentation by the player and his team management.

The Disciplinary Committee found that on detailed analysis there had not been direct contact between Baird’s arm and Harrison’s head and that Baird’s tackle had slipped up from the shoulder. Applying the World Rugby Decision Making Framework for High Tackles (laws.worldrugby.org/en/guidelines) elected to impose no further sanction. 

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Joaquín de la Vega Mendía (Argentina)

Argentina fly-half Joaquín de la Vega Mendía appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) along with Stefan Terblanche (former South African player) and Olly Kohn (former Wales player) in Rosario on 10 June, 2019 having been cited by Citing Commissioner John Byett (England) for a lifting tackle on Fiji scrum-half Simone Kuruvoli in their match at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Santa Fe, Argentina on 8 June, 2019 in breach of Law 9.18.

The Committee received evidence from De la Vega Mendía, his coach José Pellicena, Kuruvoli, the Fiji team doctor and the referee Andrea Piardi as well as representations of behalf of the player from his legal counsel.

The Disciplinary Committee found following detailed analysis that the tackle would not have merited a red card on the field of play and therefore dismissed the citing. De la Vega Mendía is free to play on match-day three.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Patrick Tafa (Australia)

Australia number eight Patrick Tafa appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Alan Hudson (Canada) along with Donal Courtney (former Irish referee) and Ofisa Tonu’u (former Samoa and New Zealand player and former Samoa U20 coach) on 13 June, 2019 having received a red card from referee Craig Evans in Australia’s match against England at the World Rugby U20 Championship on 12 June, 2019 in Santa Fe, Argentina, for a high tackle on England flanker Aaron Hinkley in breach of Law 9.13.

The Committee received evidence from Tafa, Hinkley, the England team doctor, Australia coach Jason Gilmore and the referee as well as submissions on behalf of the player. The Disciplinary Committee found that on detailed analysis there had been contact between Tafa’s shoulder and Hinkley’s neck which warranted a red card with reference to the World Rugby Decision Making Framework for High Tackles (laws.worldrugby.org/en/guidelines).

The Committee found this to be low-end offending which carries a two-week entry point. They reduced this to one week based on the player’s clean record, remorse, age, apology and conduct at the hearing.

Tafa is suspended for the semi-final on Monday 17 June but free to play thereafter.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)

Argentina winger Rodrigo Isgro appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Alan Hudson (Canada) along with Donal Courtney (former Irish referee) and Ofisa Tonu’u (former Samoa and New Zealand player and former Samoa U20 coach) on 13 June, 2019 having received a red card from referee Christopher Ridley in Argentina’s match against France at the World Rugby U20 Championship on 12 June, 2019 in Rosario, Argentina, for a high tackle on France fullback Alexandre De Nardi in breach of Law 9.13.

The Committee received evidence from Isgro, De Nardi, the France team doctor, Argentina coach José Pellicena and the referee as well as submissions on behalf of the player.

The Disciplinary Committee found that on detailed analysis this was a reactionary tackle with immediate release and a low level of danger with unclear direct contact to De Nardi’s head, with reference to the World Rugby Decision Making Framework for High Tackles (laws.worldrugby.org/en/guideline). The Committee decided to overturn the red card. Isgro is free to play in the semi-final against Australia.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Sacha Zegueur (France)

France flanker Sacha Zegueur appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Alan Hudson (Canada) along with Donal Courtney (former Irish referee) and Ofisa Tonu’u (former Samoa and New Zealand player and former Samoa U20 coach) on 13 June, 2019 having received a red card from referee Christopher Ridley in France’s match against Argentina in the World Rugby U20 Championship on 12 June, 2019 in Rosario, Argentina for a high tackle on Argentina fly-half Joaquín de la Vega Mendía in breach of Law 9.13.

The Committee received evidence from Zegueur, De la Vega Mendía, the Argentina team doctor and the referee as well as submissions on behalf of the player.

The Disciplinary Committee found that on detailed analysis there had been contact between Zegueur’s shoulder and De la Vega’s Mendía head which warranted a red card with reference to the World Rugby Decision Making Framework for High Tackles (laws.worldrugby.org/en/guideline). The Committee noted head contact cannot be low-end and found this to be mid-range offending which carries a six-week entry point. They reduced this to four weeks based on the player’s remorse, age and conduct at the hearing.

Zegueur is suspended for the semi-final and final round of the tournament and his club Oyonnax’s first two pre-season games. He is free to play again from 29 July.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Michael McDonald (Australia)

Australia scrum-half Michael McDonald appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Alan Hudson (Canada) along with Sarah Smith (former Scotland player) and Leon Lloyd (former England player) on 18 June, 2019 having received a red card from referee James Doleman in Australia’s semi-final match against Argentina in the World Rugby U20 Championship on 17 June, 2019 in Rosario, Argentina, following a second temporary suspension in the match.

The Disciplinary Committee considered on review of the footage, written evidence and submissions that the sending off was sufficient and no further sanction is appropriate. McDonald is free to play in Saturday’s final against France.  

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Lachlan Lonergan (Australia)

Australia hooker Lachlan Lonergan appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) along with Leon Lloyd (former England player) and Ofisa Tonu’u (former Samoa and New Zealand player and Samoa U20 coach) in Rosario on 19 June, 2019 having been cited by Citing Commissioner Rafael Bianchi (Uruguay) for striking Argentina number eight Juan Bautista Pedemonte with the shoulder in breach of Law 9.12 in their match at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rosario, Argentina, on 17 June, 2019.

The Disciplinary Committee received evidence from Lonergan, Pedemonte, the Argentina team doctor, Australia coach Jason Gilmore and the referee as well as submissions on behalf of the player. 

The Disciplinary Committee on detailed analysis could not be satisfied there had been contact with Pedemonte’s head and dismissed the citing.  Lonergan is free to play in Saturday’s final against France.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Samipeni Finau (New Zealand)

New Zealand reserve Samipeni Finau appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Wang Shao Ing (Singapore) along with John Langford (former Australia player) and Sarah Smith (former Scotland player) in Rosario on 19 June, 2019 having been cited by Citing Commissioner Eugene Ryan (Ireland) for striking Wales full-back Ioan Davies with the shoulder/high tackle in breach of Law 9.13 in their match at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rosario, Argentina, on 17 June, 2019.  

The Disciplinary Committee received evidence from  Finau, Davies, the Wales team doctor and the referee as well as submissions on behalf of the player. The Disciplinary Committee considered that this was a high tackle which contacted Davies’ head and upheld the citing. They considered this a mid-range breach of Law 9.13 which carries a six-week entry point. The Disciplinary Committee considered the player’s previously clean record, youth and inexperience to reduce the sanction by two weeks to four weeks. 

Finau is suspended from Saturday’s final round at the World Rugby U20 Championship until after his club’s semi-final game in Waikato on 13 July or, if his club do not qualify for the finals, Waikato’s first Mitre 10 Cup pre-season game on 26 July, 2019.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

Cameron Redpath (England)

England centre Cameron Redpath appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by Alan Hudson (Canada) along with John Langford (former Australia player) and Sarah Smith (former Scotland player) in Rosario on 19 June, 2019 having been cited by Citing Commissioner Enrique Cazenave (Argentina) for biting Ireland hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin in breach of Law 9.12 in their match at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rosario, Argentina, on 17 June, 2019.

Redpath accepted the citing. The Disciplinary Committee received evidence from  Redpath, Tierney-Martin, the Ireland team doctor and the referee as well as submissions on behalf of the player in relation to the entry point.  The Disciplinary Committee considered that this was a low-end breach of Law 9.12 which carries a 12-week entry point. The Disciplinary Committee considered the player’s previously clean record, early acceptance of his conduct, apology, youth and inexperience to reduce the sanction by the maximum 50 per cent to six weeks.

Redpath is suspended from Saturday’s final round at the World Rugby U20 Championship until after Sale’s Premiership Cup fixture on 21 September, 2019.

The judicial decision will be published here when available.

 

CITING COMMISSIONER WARNINGS

Jake Flannery (Ireland)

Ireland fly-half Jake Flannery has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning by Citing Commissioner Eduardo Blengio (Uruguay) for a lifting tackle on Australia prop Angus Bell in their match at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Santa Fe, Argentina, on 8 June, 2019 in breach of Law 9.18.

Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel (Argentina)

Argentina reserve Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning by Citing Commissioner John Byett (Engand) for a lifting tackle on Fiji scrum-half Simone Kuruvoli in their match at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Santa Fe, Argentina, on 8 June, 2019 in breach of Law 9.18.

Any combination of three yellow cards or warnings in the tournament will require the player to appear at a disciplinary hearing.

HIGH RISK CONTACT TECHNIQUE WARNINGS

The following players received High Risk Contact Technique Warnings arising from match-day one under the trial in operation at the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 with respect to upright tackles which result in contact with an opponent’s head:

  • Santiago Chocobares (Argentina No.12)
  • Lachlan Lonergan (Australia No.2)
  • Julien Delbois (France No.12)
  • Jonathan Wren (Ireland No.11)
  • Ronan Watters (Ireland No.20)
  • James Mollentze (South Africa No.10)

The following players received High Risk Contact Technique Warnings arising from match-day two under the trial in operation at the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 with respect to upright tackles which result in contact with an opponent’s head:

  • Murray Scott (Scotland No.9)

The following players received High Risk Contact Technique Warnings arising from match-day three under the trial in operation at the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 with respect to upright tackles which result in contact with an opponent’s head:

  • Angus Bell (Australia No.1)
  • Joey Walton (Australia No.13)
  • Leicester Fainga'anuku (New Zealand No.11)
  • James Mollentze (South Africa No.10)
  • Cameron Anderson (Scotland No.13)

The following players received High-Risk Contact Technique Warnings arising from match-day four under the trial in operation at the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 with respect to upright tackles which result in contact with an opponent’s head:

  • Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Wales No.12)
  • David Coetzer (South Africa No.27)
  • James Mollentze (South Africa No.10)
  • Michael McDonald (Australia No.9)
  • Noah Lolesio (Australia No.12)
  • Mikheil Alania (Georgia No.9)
  • Etonia Waka (Fiji No.4)
  • Robbie McCallum (Scotland No.12)

Thomas-Wheeler and Mollentze are now automatically suspended for one match having received two (or more) Technique Warnings in the tournament. Alania will be automatically suspended for one match if his coach does not review the player’s tackling technique to the satisfaction of the Citing Commissioner in order to have his first warning removed.

For all other players, this was their first Technique Warning in the tournament and their coaches also have the opportunity to review the player’s tackling technique to the satisfaction of the Citing Commissioner in order to have the first warning removed from the players’ records. 

Challenge hearings

South Africa fly-half James Mollentze challenged his automatic one-match suspension under the High Risk Contact Technique Warning trial in operation at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Following a detailed analysis of the video footage and submissions from the player’s coach Chean Roux, his challenge was dismissed by the Judicial Officer Charles Cuthbert (UAE). Mollentze remains suspended for the final round of the tournament.  

Wales centre Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler challenged his automatic one match suspension under the High Risk Contact Technique Warning trial in operation at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Following a detailed analysis of the video footage and submissions from the player’s coach Gareth Williams, his challenge was upheld by the Judicial Officer Charles Cuthbert (UAE). Thomas-Wheeler is free to play in the final round of the tournament.