Reds duo Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight handed three-week bans

Queensland Reds duoTate McDermott and Fraser McReight have been handed three-week suspensions following their red card incidents in the recently concluded Super Rugby Pacific game against Moana Pasifika.

McDermott was sent off early in the second half for a dangerous tackle with the Foul Play Review Committee comprising of Stephen Hardy (Chairman), Ofisa Tonu’u and Stefan Terblanche finding him guilty of Law 9.12 – A player must not physically abuse anyone.

Meanwhile, McReight was red carded in the 74th minute for a dangerous tackle which is a breach of Law 9.13.

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and the player’s submissions, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the red card and found the player to have contravened Law 9.12," read a statement from Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Stephen Hardy.

“The entry point for the offence was six weeks [assessed as mid-range for intentional and deliberate physical abuse of striking with arm to the side of the victim player’s head where the victim player was in a vulnerable position with limited ability, if any, to defend himself).

“The player was given a discount for entering an early guilty plea [and other relevant mitigating factors including remorse and prior disciplinary record], reducing the suspension from six weeks to three weeks. The Player is therefore suspended up to and including 4 May 2024.

“In providing the player the sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee emphasised that this sort of incident is not tolerated in any form of the game.”