The Melbourne Rebels have received a major setback with backrower Josh Kemeny suspended for three weeks.
Kemeny was one of the Rebels' best in their seven-point defeat to the Brumbies, however, drew the attention of SANZAAR for a late hit in the 28th minute.
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The Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the Red Card threshold for foul play, ruling Kemeny had made head-to-head contact with direct and forceful contact.
"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, Tim North KC, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Citing under Law 9.13," Foul Play Review Committee Chair Michael Heron KC said in a statement.
"With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee held the act of foul play was late and dangerous with direct and forceful contact made head-to-head. Whilst the player attempted to pull out of a late tackle, he was always high and there was no applicable mitigation.
"The FPRC found a high degree of danger and the conduct merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player's clear record, guilty plea and otherwise exemplary conduct, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by three weeks."
"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including 26 May 2023."
It's a major blow for the Rebels, with Kemeny emerging as one of their key pieces in the forward pack after his return from long-term injury.
He will miss this week's clash with the NSW Waratahs in his home state, along with matches against the Highlanders and Western Force.
Meanwhile, Hurricanes lock Isaia Walker-Leawere has avoided further sanction after his second yellow card in their defeat to the Fijian Drua.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence including submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee decided that no further sanction was warranted," Heron added.
“The Foul Play Review Committee applied Appendix 4 of World Rugby Regulation 17, noting that this is an area where judicial discretion is required. The Committee determined that at least one of the yellow cards was awarded for technical offences (not Foul Play) which did not involve a breach of Laws 9.11 to 9.28 and that exceptional circumstances therefore existed which warranted no further sanction being imposed. The Committee held that the red card received by the player was sufficient penalty in the circumstances and no further sanction was warranted. The red card remains on the player’s record." "The player is therefore free to resume playing.”
