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All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi’s tackle on France's Remy Grosso deemed 'just short of' red card by citing commissioner

June 13, 2018
France's Remy Grosso (C runs into All Blacks Ofa Tu'ungafasi (L) and Sam Cane (R during the Steinlager Series rugby match between the All Blacks and France at the Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday the 9th of June 2018. Copyright Photo by Marty Melville / www.Photosport.nz

All Black prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi's tackle on French winger Remy Grosso in the first Test between New Zealand and France was deemed "just short of" red card level by independent citing commissioner Freek Burger.

As a result, Tu'ungafasi has received a citing commissioner warning for a breach of Law 9.13.

In the opinion of Burger, there were mitigating factors which prevented the conduct from being a red card level red card level.

These included Grosso's low body position lowering as he went into contact with Sam Cane, who affected the tackle initially, immediately before Tu'ungafasi joined a dynamic tackle situation.

No further action was warranted against Cane with the commissioner deeming the on-field  penalty against him to be sufficient punishment.

Grosso suffered two facial fractures in the 59 th minute tackle.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen defended Tu’ungafasi after the match, saying the All Black prop did not intend to injure Grosso.

Steve Hansen said Sam Cane and Ofa Tu'ungafasi's tackle on French winger Remmy Grosso was completely accidental.

 

Tu’ungafasi also took to Twitter to wish Grosso well in his recovery.

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