Argentina fullback Juan Cruz Mallia handed two-week ban

Argentina fullback Juan Cruz Mallia has been handed a two-game ban following his dangerous tackle in the recently concluded Rugby Championship game against South Africa at Ellis Park.

The 26-year-old charged down a clearance from Grant Williams with eventually his hip colliding with the Springbok scrum-half's head with the latter leaving the field in the opening stage of the game.

Even though Cruz Mallia did not face any on-field sanction, he went on to face a SANZAAR Judicial Committee comprising of Nigel Hampton (Chairman), David Croft and Ofisa Tonu’u and was proved guilty of contravening Law 9.11 that deals with 'Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others.'

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player, the Argentinian coach and the match referee, as well as submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.11," said chairman Hampton.

“With respect to sanction the Judicial Committee considered the act of foul play was reckless, with a high degree of danger and had a considerable impact on the victim player.

“The Committee considered all relevant factors of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process and sanctioning table, but given the evidence from both the referee and the coach as to how successful charge downs of kicks are viewed by match officials and as to how coaching of players is conducted as a consequence, the Committee decided that a mid-range sanction would be wholly disproportionate to the player’s fault and that the foul play merited a low-range entry point of two weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended for two weeks, up to and including 18 August 2023.”