It seems that the Sharks' locker room might need a new poster boy for the "play nice" campaign, as Sale Sharks' very own Hyron Andrews has been slapped with a four-week timeout for his less-than-gentlemanly conduct on the field. During what could only be described as a heated moment in the 71st minute at Stade Ernest-Wallon, Andrews decided to give Toulouse’s Peato Mauvaka a closer look at the turf with a dangerous tackle that had the ref flashing yellow faster than you can say "sin bin."
As if a yellow card wasn't enough of a party spoiler, an independent disciplinary committee rolled up their sleeves to review the tackle. After watching the replay from every conceivable angle and probably consulting the rugby rulebook, the committee heard from Andrews and his camp. Andrews put on his best remorseful face and admitted that his impromptu rendition of a wrestling move was indeed worthy of a red card. "I accept my actions were wrong and apologize to Peato, my team, and the fans," he stated during the hearing.
The committee, after what we can only imagine was a stern look over their spectacles, pegged the foul at mid-range severity. Initially, they thought six weeks in the naughty corner sounded about right, but eventually, they shaved off a couple of weeks thanks to Andrews’ clean-ish past record and his apparent contrition, settling on a four-week suspension.
Andrews isn't the only one in hot water; Montauban's Ru-Hann Greyling also found himself on the wrong side of the law for his creative, yet illegal, interpretation of ruck participation, earning himself a three-week ban. However, both players have a shot at reducing their sentences by taking part in the World Rugby coaching intervention program. It's like traffic school but for rugby, and let’s be honest, probably just as thrilling.
While Andrews and Greyling reflect on the virtues of safe play, the rest of us can look forward to their return, hopefully with a bit more caution and a lot less drama. Montauban and Sharks fans, mark your calendars for their respective returns to the field, and perhaps keep a close eye on those tackle techniques.
"I accept my actions were wrong and apologize to Peato, my team, and the fans,"
So, let's chalk this up to a learning experience and hope that our dear players find themselves more in the try zone and less in the tribunal. Until then, let’s keep the tackles clean and the play fair, or at least try to.
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It seems that the Sharks' locker room might need a new poster boy for the "play nice" campaign, as Sale Sharks' very own Hyron Andrews has been slapped with a four-week timeout for his less-than-gentlemanly conduct on the field. During what could only be described as a heated moment in the 71st minute at Stade Ernest-Wallon, Andrews decided to give Toulouse’s Peato Mauvaka a closer look at the turf with a dangerous tackle that had the ref flashing yellow faster than you can say "sin bin."
As if a yellow card wasn't enough of a party spoiler, an independent disciplinary committee rolled up their sleeves to review the tackle. After watching the replay from every conceivable angle and probably consulting the rugby rulebook, the committee heard from Andrews and his camp. Andrews put on his best remorseful face and admitted that his impromptu rendition of a wrestling move was indeed worthy of a red card. "I accept my actions were wrong and apologize to Peato, my team, and the fans," he stated during the hearing.
The committee, after what we can only imagine was a stern look over their spectacles, pegged the foul at mid-range severity. Initially, they thought six weeks in the naughty corner sounded about right, but eventually, they shaved off a couple of weeks thanks to Andrews’ clean-ish past record and his apparent contrition, settling on a four-week suspension.
Andrews isn't the only one in hot water; Montauban's Ru-Hann Greyling also found himself on the wrong side of the law for his creative, yet illegal, interpretation of ruck participation, earning himself a three-week ban. However, both players have a shot at reducing their sentences by taking part in the World Rugby coaching intervention program. It's like traffic school but for rugby, and let’s be honest, probably just as thrilling.
While Andrews and Greyling reflect on the virtues of safe play, the rest of us can look forward to their return, hopefully with a bit more caution and a lot less drama. Montauban and Sharks fans, mark your calendars for their respective returns to the field, and perhaps keep a close eye on those tackle techniques.
"I accept my actions were wrong and apologize to Peato, my team, and the fans,"
So, let's chalk this up to a learning experience and hope that our dear players find themselves more in the try zone and less in the tribunal. Until then, let’s keep the tackles clean and the play fair, or at least try to.