Waratahs loose forward Lachlan Swinton has been slapped with a monster ban for a late hit on the Western Force’s Jake Strachan.
In just the first minute of the Waratahs’ 36-16 win, Swinton rocked Strachan late and high after a clearing kick.
The incident went unpunished on the field, but Strachan was ruled out of the second half with concussion. Swinton was later cited for the hit.
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At a SANZAAR judicial hearing, Swinton was rubbed out for seven weeks, for what chair Helen Morgan described as a “reckless and highly dangerous”.
Morgan in fact said Swinton’s actions were worthy of the maximum 10-week ban, but reduced the punishment due to Swinton’s conduct at the hearing and remorse.
“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,” Morgan said.
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“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.”
Swinton’s suspension will see him unavailable until the quarter-finals. The Waratahs are currently ninth on the ladder – one place outside a finals berth.
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