Tomkinson Escapes Punishment for Red Card

A SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing has found Sio Tomkinson of the Highlanders not guilty of contravening Law 9.13 Dangerous Tackling and Law 9.16 Dangerous Charge after he was issued with a Red Card during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

No further sanction has been imposed on the player. 

The incident occurred during the match between the Chiefs and Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Friday 15 February 2019.

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The SANZAAR Judicial Hearing held via video conference on Tuesday. In his finding, the Judicial Committee Chairman Michael Heron QC ruled the following: 

"The Judicial Committee conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and relevant match reports.  The Committee heard evidence from the player, a member of the Highlanders' coaching staff, and received submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd.  The Committee adjourned the hearing to make further inquiries with the match referee and received additional information from him.  With the benefit of this further information, the Judicial Committee was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the referee was wrong in issuing the Red Card.  The Committee determined to remove the red card from the Player’s record." 
 

"The Judicial Committee found that the Player made contact with his shoulder to the shoulder of the Chiefs player.  On careful review of the footage, and on receiving further evidence as above, the Committee determined that the Player did not make contact with the head of the Chiefs player and he did attempt to use his arm in the attempted tackle.  Due to the rapid change in angle from the Chiefs player, and the tackle of the other Highlanders player involved, the incident appeared to be more significant that it was.  The Committee had the benefit of lengthy analysis and review of the footage and the other evidence which enabled it to determine that there was no contact to the head by the Player and no foul play.  Accordingly, there was not a breach of Law 9.13 or 9.16."

"The player is therefore free to play.”