Jaguares prop Herrera banned for two weeks

Jaguares prop Ramiro Herrera has been given a two week ban after he was red carded in his team’s Super Rugby loss to the Southern Kings.

Herrera was red carded following a TMO review of him entering a ruck dangerously in the 37th minute of last Saturday’s match.

The SANZAAR Duty Judicial Officer Michael Heron QC accepted a guilty plea from Herrera of the Jaguares for contravening Law 10.4 (h) A player must not charge into a ruck or maul, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

Herrera charged into an opponent on the ground and made contact with his opponent’s head during the match between the Kings and Jaguares at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth on 27 May 2016.

Herrera received a sanction of one week (covering one scheduled match) with his next scheduled match being Argentina v Italy, 11 June 2016. Consequently he is suspended up to and including Saturday 11 June 2016.

SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Michael Heron QC assessed the case.

In his finding, Heron ruled the following,” The player, Mr Stephan Weyers (counsel), Mr Greg Peters (Jaguares CEO), Mr Rafael Laria (Jaguares Manager) and an interpreter attended the call. Mr Andreas Ramos, SAANZAR JO, attended also as an observer.

“The player accepted the charge. I agreed with Mr Weyers that the charge should be under Law 10(4)(h) as the opponent player did not have the ball. The player was remorseful and apologised to the opponent player on field before he left as a result of the red card.

“I accepted the submission that this was low end offending, it was not intentional, no injury resulted and the only negative impact on the game was to the Jaguares and Mr Herrara. Mr Herrara has an exemplary disciplinary record, this being his first red card or citing.

“For that reason, I indicated a low end entry point under 10(4)(h) of two weeks. Because of his conduct, his remorse and his exemplary playing record, I was prepared to reduce that by one week to a resulting suspension of one week (covering one match) and I gave that indication.

“The next scheduled fixture for the player was an international match on 11 June for Argentina against Italy. Accordingly, the suspension imposed is for one match (being that international match on 11 June) but takes effect from today up to and including 11 June 2016 (to include the one scheduled match).”

Duty Judicial Officer: Michael Heron QC
Player: Ramiro Herrera
Team: Jaguares
Position: Prop
Date of Incident: 27 May 2016
Nature of Offence: 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
Elapsed time in match when offence occurred: 37th minute