New Zealand second-row Brodie Retallick appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link today, having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.20 (a) (charging into a ruck or maul) in New Zealand’s international match against Japan on 29 October.

The independent judicial committee, chaired by Wang Shao-ing (Singapore), joined by former international referee Donal Courtney (Ireland) and former international player, Leon Lloyd (England), heard the case, considering all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles, the referee report and submissions from the player and his representative.

The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that the offence was worthy of a red card.

Having reviewed all the evidence, the Committee applied the Head Contact Process and upheld the red card under Law 9.20(a). In particular, the Committee noted that the player admitted that the clean out of the opponent was executed with his arm trailing at the point his shoulder made contact with the back of the opponent’s head and/or neck.

On that basis, the Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six matches given the direction by World Rugby that “any act of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or the neck shall result in at least a mid-range sanction.” 

Taking into account the player’s excellent disciplinary record and the mitigating factors under Regulation 17, the Committee granted the player full mitigation of 50 per cent, resulting in a sanction of three matches. The committee also approved the player's application under the Head Contact Process – Coaching Intervention Programme.

The player will miss New Zealand’s next matches against Wales and Scotland. Subject to the successful completion of the Coaching Intervention programme, he will be free to play in New Zealand’s match against England on 19 November, 2022.

The player has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision, which will appear here once published. 

Click here to watch the video that explains how rugby’s disciplinary process works.

Visit World Rugby’s dedicated disciplinary process education and information page here.

World Rugby is managing the communications for all matches outside of the Autumn Nations Series. Please contact media@worldrugby.org for further information.