Rugby Union: Vicious Rugby Hit Sees Tongan Suspended
Jun 12, 2013
Tonga's David Halaifonua has been suspended by the International Rugby Board (IRB), via IRB.com, for six weeks due to a vicious, illegal hit on Canada winger Matt Evans.
Bleacher Report covered the initial aftermath of the match, in which Tonga head coach Mana Otai claimed that his players were being targeted by officials and that he could see no reason for any punishment.
On June 12, the IRB's disciplinary office issued its own verdict on Halaifonua's actions, and those of two of his Tongan teammates, who were also suspended for their parts in the violent match.
Tonga’s David Halaifonua appeared before independent Judicial Officer, Alan Hudson in on Kingston, Ontario on June 8, having been cited by David Pelton for a dangerous tackle offence in contravention of Law 10.4(e) in the 16th minute of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup match against Canada.
The player wished to contest the offence. The Judicial Officer, having heard all the evidence, determined that the action was reckless and not premeditated. Given that the tackled Canada player was forced to leave the field of play through injury, the Judicial Officer determined that the offence should merit the top end entry point level for the sanction which is 10+ weeks.
Having also considered mitigating factors, including remorse and excellent record, the suspension was set at six weeks. The player may resume playing on July 21, 2013.
Canada's head coach Kieran Crowley had his own comments on the incident when he spoke to Bleacher Report in Toronto this week.
"If my players did what those players had done, I would have expected them to get carded. If one of my players had been responsible for the hit on Matt Evans, I would have expected a red card, and I would have expected the judiciary to deal with them.
I don't know how he can say they were legal tackles. My understanding of a tackle is that you have to use your arms, for a start."
As Bleacher Report's preview of Canada's next match reported, Evans is listed as doubtful for his country's clash with Ireland this weekend.
Jeff Hull is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
Unless otherwise stated, all quoted material was obtained first-hand.
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Rugby Union: Tonga Allege Prejudice in IRB Officiating
Jun 9, 2013
Tongan head coach Mana Otai has made a serious and controversial set of allegations in regard to how the International Rugby Board (IRB) officiates matches involving Pacific Island nations.
Following Tonga's dramatic and violent Pacific Nations Cup contest with Canada on June 8 in Kingston, Ontario, the Tongan coach had strong words regarding the decisions made in that match specifically, and in regard to matches involving Pacific Island nations in general.
Otai's comments are all the more controversial because of the violent nature of the match and the actions of his team's players, which were caught on video. The wild fixture, in which an almost unimaginable Tongan comeback fell just short, saw the Tongans reduced to 12 men for long periods of the second half.
Canada and London Irish back-row Jebb Sinclair seemed to agree that the game was abnormally physical.
One Tongan prop was red carded for throwing punches, while two members of their back line received yellow cards for dangerous tackles. After the match, Mana Otai spoke to Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press.
I had a look at both. I couldn't really see why (the yellow cards were issued). It's almost like, these days you know, when a black man is tackling harder than the other, it seems to be the way.
And I think some of the foreigners that are involved in our team now are starting to see that. It's just hard to battle or fight that stereotype, I guess. But I'm not taking away the fact that at times we do, I guess, make mistakes in terms of tackling — if I'm talking in general. But in today's game, I couldn't justify the two yellow cards.
Bleacher Report reached out to the IRB offices for comment concerning the allegations and was told that the IRB has no comment to make at this time.
Tongan prop Edmund Aholelei will meet with an IRB citing officer, as a matter of protocol, following his red card; however, the larger issue is certainly whether there is any truth to the allegations being made by the Tongans.
Bleacher Report has previously chronicled the widely recognized bias against developing rugby nations like Tonga—as well as Canada and the United States—in terms of scheduling at major international tournaments. The IRB's own statements in those regards hardly inspire confidence, but surely this is a completely different matter.
Fortunately, we have our own video evidence for you, our loyal Bleacher Report audience, to examine.
The match video, which appears below—unfortunately in its unedited form—does the job of giving insight into the incidents in question.
Use the forum below to let us know your take on what happened and what you think of Tonga's controversial claims.
In the meantime, please use the video time line below to search out the appropriate moments in the June 8 match, or just enjoy the entire game.
It was a wild show.
Video Time Line for June 8 Infractions:
41:00—A Canadian fast break down the far side of the field ends in a high tackle against a Canadian player. This results in a scuffle between the two teams and a penalty against Tonga.
43:30—Canada's hooker, Ray Barkwill, is caught with multiple punches from a Tongan player, as he attempts to clear a Tongan tackler out of the way. A maul in the middle of the field breaks into a flurry of punches, which in turn explodes in a more serious confrontation between multiple players.
After a meeting of the referees, Tonga's Edmund Aholelei is issued a straight red card for throwing punches after the referee had intervened.
Tonga are reduced to 14 men.
1:09:30—At 51 minutes into the second half, Canadian fullback James Pritchard takes a Tongan high kick and begins a counterattack. Seconds after he releases the ball, Pritchard receives a shoulder to the jaw from a charging Tongan defender. The Canadian lies motionless on the field for several moments.
The Tongan player is issued with a yellow card for foul play, forcing him to leave the field for 10 minutes.
Tonga are reduced to 13 men.
1:17:00—At 56 minutes of the second half, Canada receive a kickoff and move the ball to winger Matt Evans, who begins a run down the left side of the pitch. Evans passes the ball away. Close to a second later, Evans is caught with a jumping shoulder-tackle to the jaw.
The blow comes close to knocking Evans unconscious, and he is stretchered off the field.
The Tongan player is given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle and sent off the field for 10 minutes.
Tonga are reduced to 12 men.
Scattered other moments of questionable conduct exist throughout the game for your enjoyment and analysis.
The Bleacher Report forum awaits your verdict.
Jeff Hull is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
To follow the author on Twitter, click on the link below.
