Waikato prop Ben Tameifuna has been cited for pushing referee Glen Jackson during the ITM Cup round 3 match vs North Harbour on Saturday night. The charge is for acting against the spirit of good sportsmanship, and he looks likely to be found guilty.
The incident – alleged according to the disciplinary statement, but quite clear from the video – occurred late in the game as Waikato attempted to hold out the opposition. With Tameifuna on the tryline, Jackson got in his way, so he gave him a bit of a shove to clear his defensive line.
Jackson didn’t appear too bothered about it, barely looking in the All Black tourist’s direction. Irony, or perhaps karma, was at play though as the former professional flyhalf was given the chance to show yellow to the giant prop just seconds later.
The two incidents weren’t related, but one has to wonder if there would have been a talking to if the slowing down of the ball didn’t happen. Perhaps Tameifuna apologised as it happened.
Following the match, the incident was picked up by Citing Commissioner John Wootton, who cited under law 10.4 (m), which deems that a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure.
The review will take place tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday 3 September, by Judicial Officer Chris Morris via video conference. Waikato held on to win the match 22-16, after Tameifuna had earlier scored a try in the first half.
View similar incidents in the Related Posts, featuring Brian Mujati shoving Nigel Owens in the back, Neil Best pushing George Clancy out of his way, and Lifeimi Mafi actually tackling a referee. There are a few other good ones there too, as well as some typically hard-hitting Big Ben Tameifuna clips.
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