All Blacks captain suspended following RWC final red card

One of the major talking points during the Rugby World Cup final was the decision to red card All Blacks captain Sam Cane, although this was made via the bunker review system rather than the on-field officials.

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Upon review, it appears that the All Blacks have flagged other concerns in an official complaint sent to World Rugby.

“We’ve already sent a file into World Rugby to get them to make a few comments on,” outgoing coach Ian Foster said. “Hopefully they do.”

Asked to give specific examples of what they were unhappy with, he responded: “Oh, I think you can guess.”

Ultimately, though, Cane appeared (remotely) before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Monday 6 November, and has been suspended for three matches (reduced to two matches subject to completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme)

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Adam Casselden SC (Australia), joined by former international player Becky Essex (England) and former international referee Donal Courtney (Ireland).

The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but challenged the Foul Play Review Official’s decision that the act warranted a red card.

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The following ruling was handed down to the All Blacks captain

Having considered all the available evidence, including the application of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process, the submissions by the player and his representatives, and all available camera angles and technology, the independent committee determined that:

1. A reckless act of foul play had occurred in breach of Law 9.13 (dangerous upright tackling);
2. Head contact had occurred;
3. The degree of danger was high as there was direct and forceful contact with the Player’s shoulder to the head of the ball carrier and;
4. When applying World Rugby’s Head Contact Process there was no mitigation available to bring the degree of danger below the red card threshold.

On that basis, and in considering the sanction, the independent committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in head contact (six matches). Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s exemplary disciplinary record, his early acknowledgment of foul play and his clear remorse, the independent Committee determined mitigation of three matches was appropriate, resulting in a final sanction of three matches to be applied as follows:

• Suntory vs Toshiba, 18 November
• Panasonic vs Suntory, 25 November
• Suntory vs D-Rocks, 2 December*

*The player intends to apply to take part in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of the sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play subject to successful completion. Further information can be found here.

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The All Blacks skipper has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision, which will appear here once published.

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Wayne Barnes, the referee from the World Cup, has officially retired

Commenting on his decision, he said: “Over the past 20 years, I have been in the middle of some of the greatest rugby matches in history. I have seen some of the world’s best players and worked with some of the finest coaches the game has ever produced. Last Saturday, I was privileged to referee the Rugby World Cup final between two of the most iconic teams in sport; the All Blacks and the Springboks. People often say you will know when it is the right time to retire, and this is clearly the right time for me and for my family.

“My children have missed out on time with their dad for far too long and I am now looking forward to family weekends, sports matches, school assemblies and birthday parties.

“My wife, Polly, has sacrificed more than anyone so that I have been able to achieve some of my personal goals. While I have been away most weekends and for decent chunks of the year, she has had to juggle being an amazing mum with two active children, along with holding down a hugely successful career of her own.

“I will continue to advocate for referees and work closely with the International Rugby Match Officials association to ensure match officials across the globe not only have a collective voice but also the appropriate support network for them and their families, particularly as online abuse and threats have become far too regular for all of those involved in the game.

“I am extremely proud that my career has spanned five Rugby World Cups, 26 Six Nations matches, three European Champions Cup finals and 10 Premiership Finals, and I’m grateful for all of those who have helped me along the way, in particular, Chris White, Tony Spreadbury, Brian Campsall, Nigel Yates and Phil Keith-Roach.

“It’s been an incredible journey.”

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