Sharks flanker Jean Deysel pleased guilty to a charge of stamping following the red card he received against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday. He has been suspended for three weeks. The Sharks went on to win the match 30-25.
Deysel saw red in the 16th minute of the much anticipated clash between the two powerhouse sides. Early on it looked as though the match would be ruined as a spectable following the sending off, but the Sharks fought back courageously despite playing 65 minutes with 14 men.
Deysel has since faced a SANZAR judicial hearing, with Advocate Jannie Lubbe finding that Jordan Taufua illegally held on to the foot of Deysel, preventing him from joining the line of defence.
“In order to free himself, Deysel stamped with his boot on Taufua and made contact with the neck/head area of the player. Taufua sustained a minor injury to his mouth but was able to complete the match and subsequently provided helpful testimony that supported the medical evidence,” the statement said.
The offence was categorised as mid-level which carries a five week suspension, but was reduced to three weeks due to mitagating factors such as Deysel’s apology to Taufua post match, his clean record and his guilty plea and genuine remorse for his actions.
Meanwhile Taufua has said that he isn’t holding a grudge. “He came up to me and apologised to me at the end and I just told him ‘no hard feelings mate, it’s a contact sport’,” Taufua said.
“I think it was just a heat of the moment thing you know? I think he was trying to get back on his D-line and just reacted. I’m not angry at him or anything. I have got no grudge. I was just holding on to him in a ruck and then he just got me good. There was a bit of blood but that’s rugby mate.”
Sharks coach Jake White wasn’t pleased with what happened, but defended Deysel’s character.
“I can’t stand here and protect a guy and condone that sort of thing.. It’s not like him, that’s the thing I feel most embarrassed about. He’s not a dirty guy, he’s got an unbelievable record.
“He’s a tough man, carries the ball hard but I think he’s as remorseful in the changing room as I would expect any player to be. It’s not him,” White added.
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