Rugby: No sanctions for three players cited

Brendon Leonard. Photo / Getty Images

Three of four players cited after an incident in Sunday's North v South match at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr have escaped without sanction after a judicial hearing was held yesterday.

North halfback Brendon Leonard and hooker Dane Coles and South centre Kendrick Lynn faced hearings in front of New Zealand Rugby Union judicial officer Roger Drummond.

Several players became involved in a fracas 32 minutes into the first half of the match won by South 32-24.

Leonard was cited under law 10.4(e) for an alleged dangerous tackle on South hooker and captain Jason Rutledge.

Coles faced a breach of law 10.4(e) for his alleged part in the tackle on Rutledge as well as a charge under law 10.4(a) for foul play for allegedly striking Lynn.

The charge against Brendon Leonard was amended to a charge under law 10.4(j) which involves lifting a player in a tackle.

After careful consideration the citing was not upheld. However, the player was advised to take greater care in his tackling in the future.

The citing for Dane Coles on the dangerous tackling charge was not upheld. On the striking charge, the judicial officer ruled that the citing was upheld, but that no sanction be imposed on the basis that any sanction would be disproportionate to the level and type of offending involved.

Kendrick Lynn was cited under law 10.4(a) for alleged retaliating punches on Dane Coles.

The citing was upheld, but no sanction was imposed on the basis that any sanction would be disproportionate to the level and type of offending involved.

A fourth player, North lock Filo Paulo, was cited under law 10.4(a) for an alleged punch on South lock Tom Donnelly and will have his video conference hearing at 3pm today.