Wallabies back-rower Lachie Swinton will miss the remainder of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, after receiving a massive seven-week ban for a dangerous tackle. The offence occurred in the opening minute, of the NSW Waratah’s victory over the Western Force last weekend, and initially went unpunished.
However, after a lengthy citing Swinton has been issued with a seven match ban, which will see the 26-year-old miss the remaining league action for the Waratahs. This may also have jeopardised his place in Eddie Jones’ Australia squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, who’s Pool C campaign kicks-off against Georgia on September 9th.
The flanker led with his shoulder, and made direct contact with the head of the Western Force’s Jake Stratchan. The Force Fly Half was hit after kicking the ball down-field, and was unable to finish the match at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday due to concussion concerns.
The offence went unnoticed on the day, yet the SANZAAR Judicial Committee completed their full citing of Swinton this morning. A statement from SANZAAR read:
“With respect to sanction, the judicial committee deemed the act of foul play was reckless, with the contact point directly made with the head, high force and no mitigating factors present.
“The committee found the incident was highly dangerous and, after considering all relevant factors of World Rugby’s head contact process and sanctioning table, decided the foul play merited a top-end entry point of 10 weeks.
“Taking into account mitigating factors, including the player’s acceptance of guilt that the incident was foul play, conduct at the hearing and remorse, the judicial committee reduced the suspension by three weeks. The player is therefore suspended for seven weeks, up to and including June 3.”