Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s openside flanker Motikai Murray will face a disciplinary hearing after receiving a yellow card during his team’s 38-21 defeat to the Brumbies over the weekend. The incident in question involves a dangerous tackle on Harrison Goddard, which falls under the scrutiny of the Super Rugby Pacific foul play review committee as it allegedly breaches Law 9.13, concerning dangerous tackles.
Murray could potentially face a suspension of up to three weeks if found guilty of the offense. The breach occurred in the 79th minute when Murray swung his arm around Goddard’s neck during a tackle attempt.
This situation echoes recent trends in rugby regarding player safety and the consequences of foul play. Similar incidents have resulted in suspensions for other players, such as Api Koroisau of the Wests Tigers and Hoskins Sotutu from the Blues, both of whom faced sanctions for dangerous tackles earlier this season. Koroisau received a three-match ban for a Grade 2 offense, while Sotutu was handed a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle, emphasizing the league’s commitment to upholding safety standards.
While suspensions pose challenges for teams, they also provide opportunities for other players to demonstrate their capabilities on the field. The Fijian Drua will look to bounce back from this setback and strengthen their performance as they prepare for their next match. As they navigate the hurdles of discipline and injuries, the potential for growth and the emergence of new talent remains a hopeful prospect within the team.
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