Case Number:

ON/1576/22

Kelepi Tanginoa #12, Wakefield

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors

Match Date:

2022-08-14

Incident:

Dangerous Contact

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)

Dangerous Contact - Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

Grade C

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

3 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty but challenging grading

Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Tanginoa makes contact with his opponent.
• The opponent throws a dummy pass and runs an outside line of Mr Tanginoa.
• Mr Tanginoa takes an initial grip around the waist.
• The player then swings around with his feet which initially contact the ground.
• Mr Tanginoa however makes a secondary effort to push his right leg into his opponent’s leg.
• The player then drops his body onto the back of his opponents right leg.
• The player is using an illegal technique in this instance.
• The contact is forceful enough that the opponent receives medical attention for a period of time.
• Players have a duty of care to their opponents.
• MRP felt that this was not a legitimate attempt to complete the tackle and was a highly reckless act.
• The MRP believed that this should be charged at Grade C – initial contact with the head for the following reasons:
- Highly reckless act – player takes feet off the floor to generate force.
- Promotion of leg into opponents legs.
- Pressure is applied to the opponents legs..
- Potential for serious injury.

Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

On player's behalf Willie Poching spoke - first time charged with an offence like this, quicker player went past him, was stretching and 'lost his feet'. No injury to opponent who played on after treatment. Player working on technique in training.
Player added that as he lost his feet he lost control of the tackle and dragged his opponent down but there was nothing malicious about the tackle.
CEO Michael Carter added that the Club had not submitted a comparison clip on time but there was an incident they considered to be worse, involving a Wakefield player, which was classed as a grade B
WP admitted that the tackle was reckless and as a result of poor technique but it was a split second decision

Decision:

Grading confirmed

Reasons for Decision:

Player and coach accepted tackle was reckless and player was out of control.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Tackles was reckless and player had no need to make it as a team mate was in position to effect the tackle, understands it was a split second decision but players are trained to make those decisions

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

First time had been charged with an offence like this and there was no malice involved

Aggravating Factors:

Was given a one match ban in July for dangerous contact

Mitigating Factors:

None - Club had failed to provide a comparison clip

Reasons for Decision:

Admitted guilt, no mitigating factors

Suspension:

3 matches