Fat Steyn Cited

• Some noise from Sharks 'coffin'
• Chiefs charge past Sharks
• Brumbies breeze past Force

Cape Town - Francois Steyn of the Sharks has been cited foralleged foul play during their Super Rugby match against the Chiefs on Saturday.
 
Steyn is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (h) A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without use of the arms, or without grasping a player. 

The incident occurred in the 78th minute when he made contact with Tim Nanai-Williams of the Chiefs at a breakdown during the match between the Chiefs and Sharks on Saturday 27th April at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. 

VIDEO: Chiefs v Sharks - highlights

Upon further review of the match footage the Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the red card threshold for foul play. 
 
The citing is to be considered in the first instance by 

 Lame. Guys were shoulder charging rucks all weekend - worse than his incident.  Will say that F Steyn is generally responding the right way to the pressure he is being put under to perform. Has had a sense of urgency the last two games and the loss clearly bothered him. Needs to quit trying to ref the games though.

Oi-matey

Remember the eleventh Commandment - Thou shalt not be caught out.

 Yes, other players also do exactly what Frans did, problem is that Frans has made himself a target with his agro attitude on the field.  He screems at the referee and goois all kind of gestures and sign-language on the field.  In the end all you do is focus all the eyes on you.

Go watch the game again where the Bulls and the Waratahs played and count the ruck clean-outs from both sides that were similar, Check the Kings and Cheetahs and also the Stormers game.

He will get a game to think about it..

What about the deliberate stomp on Gareth Anscombe's inner thigh? He should've been cited for that thuggery also! The commentators said he could've easily pulled out of that action and I have to agree.

Hope he gets a few weeks off so he can indulge in his favourite pastime of devouring the world's supply of pies!

Frans Steyn cleared.

A disgraceful decision. The useless pile of fat should have copped an 8 week ban at least! And to think you Yarpies are always whining about your thugs getting harsh treatment!

It was clearly unintentional so dispite the kiwis best efforts justice prevails. I think the kiwis are getting worried about Frans returning to form and wanting the sharks playing without him?

No more blubbering kiwis  please its most unseemly.

Where did this judiciary take place and who chaired it?

Ceradyne

The following is a report on the hearing:-

Sharks utility back Francois Steyn has been cleared to face the Highlanders after being found not guilty of alleged foul play.

Steyn faced a SANZAR Judicial Hearing via video conference after he was cited following the Sharks' 37-29 defeat to the Chiefs over the weekend.

Steyn was accused of charging into Tim Nanai-Williams without using his arms during a ruck late in their game in Hamilton.

But having carefully considered the available evidence and the submissions of the legal representative of the Sharks, Jannie Lubbe SC concluded that it was not possible on the balance of probability that Steyn was in contravention of the laws.

"The incident happened right in front of the match referee, who awarded a penalty kick to the Sharks," Lubbe said in his finding.

"The legal representative of the Sharks, Gerrie Swart, made helpful submissions and took the judicial officer through the available video evidence to support the version of Steyn that he did not act in breach of Law 10.4 (h)."

Having carefully considered the available evidence and the submissions of Swart, Lubbe concluded that it was "not possible on the balance of probability" that Steyn acted in breach of Law 10.4 (h).

I fnd the highlighted sentence weird in the extreme.  Did Lubbe in fact looked at the incident.  The penalty was awarded to the Chiefs - not the Sharks and was in fact converted.  Steyn can thank his lucky stars - but I am afraid the New Zealand media in partuicular is going to burn Lubbe at the stake for that one - especially that remark about the penalty showed total disregard for what actually happened.   I wonder if there is an appeal possibility in such a case - since the citing commissioner might appeal on the grounds of that sentence?

 Mike's at it again, Steyn had a decent game and a display of improving form so he has to find another way to bash him! Suck up Mike, it's a good thing!

Sheazza

I am not at Steyn in this case - it is about the judgement and that sentence of the Chair that is controversial.   There is a real chance that the Chairman did not watch the actual occurence on vido and allowed him to be mislead by the Sharks lawyer.   The penalty was NOT awarded to the Sharks - but to the Chiefs and that is what is what I wrote about.

Jannie Lubbe eh?  Obviously he's an independent. I wonder which part of Australia he's from?!!

moolaa

Lubbe is an SA lawyer - don't blame thhe poor Assuies.  They have enough problems of their own.  LOL

Clever mike - was'nt Steyn playing centre and blatantly targeting the Chiefs centre to take him out of the game as Steyn was obviously being out played by his opposite number.

 How many times do you see backs charging into a ruck like that? Hardly ever which makes his intent all the more obvious. And some yarpy official was payed to sweep the incident under the carpet  ??- how scandalous.

Nanai Williams is touted as being a future AB so i think Steyn was just getting in early with his dirty cheap shot.

 Didn't watch this game too closely but.... What I did see was steyn stepping on some guys ballsack and then rucking it into the ground some more. Typically dirty Saffas style but rucking some poor guys ballsack... Low low act in any ones book. Incidentally I think this has been overlooked completely....

Cowardly attack on a player lying prone and defenceless in a ruck takes the cake for me but never saw the Chief getting his ball sack raked. And i use to be Steyns biggest fan .Totally disappointing . Nanai williams to his credit handled the jandle - what a great sport not to hold any malice ...