Autumn Nations Series | Disciplinary Update – Eroni Sau Decision

by Autumn Nations Series

Fiji winger Eroni Sau has been handed a five-week suspension for a dangerous tackle in Fiji’s 38-23 Autumn Nations Series defeat to Wales.

Sau was sent off by referee Nic Berry in the 25th minute for making direct contact with the head of Johnny Williams.

The red card had been issued for an infringement of Law 9.13 regarding a dangerous tackle and Sau appeared before a Disciplinary Committee via a Zoom call.

The independent Disciplinary Committee chaired by Pamela Woodman (Scotland), joined by former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former international Martyn Wood (England), heard the case, considering all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles and submissions from the player and his representative.

The committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head and determined that the foul play warranted a mid-range entry point. This resulted in a starting point of a six-week suspension.

Having acknowledged mitigating factors (with regard to sanction) including his apology to his opponent and his conduct during the hearing, the committee reduced the six-week entry point by one week, resulting in a sanction of five weeks.