Super Rugby
Ben McCalman misses Chiefs fixture
ESPN Staff
March 18, 2014
Ben McCalman in one of the form players of the Super Rugby competition © Getty Images
Enlarge

Western Force maintain their winning run against the Highlanders (video available only in Australia)
%]
Related Links

Ben McCalman will miss Western Force's Super Rugby match against the Chiefs on Saturday after pleading guilty to a charge that he tip-tackled a Highlanders player in the 73rd minute of the match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday. McCalman has been suspended for two weeks, up to and including March 29, but he will miss only one Super Rugby match as the Force have a bye in round seven.

SANZAR duty judicial officer Nicholas Davidson, QC, said in assessing the case: "I considered that the potential for harm was significant as the tackled player was lifted high off the ground and tipped forcefully with no attempt to arrest or mitigate his fall. The tackler has the responsibility not to place the tackled player at such risk. It was only because the tackled player was able to break the fall with his arm, and there was no injury, that a lower-end entry point for sanction was warranted under the rules.

"Based on the acceptance of the indicated sanction, and the player's excellent disciplinary and playing record, a discount from the lower end entry point of four weeks to a two-week suspension was imposed up to and including 29 March 2014.

"This includes the next Super Rugby match for the Force and a Perth Premier Grade match that the player was scheduled to play during the Force's bye week."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices