Stormers wing Leolin Zas received a two-week ban after receiving a red card while playing against the Waratahs last weekend but will only miss one Super Rugby game.
Zas collided clumsily with Bernard Foley when contesting a high ball. Foley landed heavily in his neck, but was uninjured. Referee Mike Fraser issued a red card and the Stormers lost the match 32-30 with the Waratahs scoring two late tries while Zas was off the field.
Sanzaar duty judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC has imposed a two-week ban on Zas, which is effectively a one-match Super Rugby suspension as the Stormers have a bye this weekend.
Zas, 20, will only miss the match against the Sunwolves and will be eligible to meet the Bulls on May 21.
“I found it was a lower end offence on the basis that the video-footage showed the player’s right foot slipping as he was readying to compete for the ball in the air,” said Hampton.
“This resulted in him moving on through and under the opposing player, causing that player to fall dangerously to the ground. Fortunately the opposing player was uninjured. The low-end entry point for the sanction was a three-week suspension.
“As to mitigation, I took into account the player’s youth and his early guilty plea, as well as his already expressed apology and his contrition. I allowed a reduction of one week, making a suspension from all rugby of two weeks, up to and including Saturday 14 May 2016.
“The Stormers have a bye next weekend. I was provided written evidence that the player would have been chosen to play for Western Province in a Currie Cup match against the Natal Sharks that forthcoming weekend.
“So that match should be, and is, taken into account as a match, which he will be unable to play in. In addition, he will be ineligible to play in the Super match against the Sunwolves on the 14 May 2016.”
Lucky break as Stormers wing gets ‘light’ ban
Zas collided clumsily with Bernard Foley when contesting a high ball. Foley landed heavily in his neck, but was uninjured. Referee Mike Fraser issued a red card and the Stormers lost the match 32-30 with the Waratahs scoring two late tries while Zas was off the field.
Sanzaar duty judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC has imposed a two-week ban on Zas, which is effectively a one-match Super Rugby suspension as the Stormers have a bye this weekend.
Zas, 20, will only miss the match against the Sunwolves and will be eligible to meet the Bulls on May 21.
“I found it was a lower end offence on the basis that the video-footage showed the player’s right foot slipping as he was readying to compete for the ball in the air,” said Hampton.
“This resulted in him moving on through and under the opposing player, causing that player to fall dangerously to the ground. Fortunately the opposing player was uninjured. The low-end entry point for the sanction was a three-week suspension.
“As to mitigation, I took into account the player’s youth and his early guilty plea, as well as his already expressed apology and his contrition. I allowed a reduction of one week, making a suspension from all rugby of two weeks, up to and including Saturday 14 May 2016.
“The Stormers have a bye next weekend. I was provided written evidence that the player would have been chosen to play for Western Province in a Currie Cup match against the Natal Sharks that forthcoming weekend.
“So that match should be, and is, taken into account as a match, which he will be unable to play in. In addition, he will be ineligible to play in the Super match against the Sunwolves on the 14 May 2016.”
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