New Zealand’s Chryss Viliko attended an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing for an offence contrary to Law 9.20(a) (dangerous charging in a ruck or maul) in New Zealand’s WXV 1 match against France on 20 October, 2023.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Shao-ing Wang (Singapore), joined by former international player Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) and former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland).

The player accepted that foul play had occurred but maintained that the offence did not warrant a red card.

Having considered all the available evidence, including the application of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process, the submissions by the player and her representative, and all available camera angles, the independent Committee determined that:

  1. an act of foul play had occurred
  2. the player had the opportunity to get into a low body position to ruck effectively
  3. head contact had occurred and the degree of danger was high

The Committee noted that the offence carries a mandatory minimum mid-range sanction (six matches), and having considered the mitigating factors, including admission of foul play, an exemplary disciplinary record, apology to the player and good character, reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent. The sanction is to apply as follows:

  • New Zealand v Wales – 28 October, 2023
  • England v New Zealand – 4 November, 2023
  • Auckland Rugby Club Sevens competition – 11-12 November, 2023*

*The player intends to apply to take part in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of the sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play subject to successful completion. Further information can be found here.

The player has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision, which can be found  here.

Visit World Rugby’s dedicated disciplinary process education and information page here, which includes a video on how rugby’s disciplinary process works.