Stormers utility back Damian Willemse has been suspended for three weeks after he was red carded during a recent United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff in Cape Town.
Willemse received his marching orders in the 58th minute of the encounter – which the Stormers won 34-24 at the DHL Stadium last Friday – for a high tackle on Cardiff left wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb.
The Springboks star, who has missed a large chunk of the Stormers’ URC campaign due to injury, was cited after the match and found guilty by an independent review panel.
Hamer-Webb was initially tackled tackle by Stormers left wing Leolin Zas, but Willemse also made contact with the Cardiff speedster, making direct contact with the head.
Ruled out of URC quarter-final
Willemse’s suspension means he will miss the Stormers’ URC quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors on Friday, May 30 and if the men from the Cape win that match he will also be sidelined for the semi-finals.
However, he could be available for selection if the Stormers reach the URC final if he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme as his suspension will then be reduced by one week.
“The disciplinary process related to Damian Willemse red card in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 18 game against Cardiff Rugby on Friday, May 16 has resulted in a three game suspension,” read the statement from the URC disciplinary committee.
“After an act of foul play by DHL Stormers player No 15 (Damian Willemse), referee Gianluca Gnecchi showed the player a red card in the 58th minute of the game under Law 9.11 – Player’s must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.
John Dobson: Damian Willemse’s red card is a ‘disaster’ as Stormers boss predicts ‘poor’ outcome
“In the player’s responses to the judicial officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Jennifer Donovan), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card.
“Ms. Donovan found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. The player received three weeks (50%) mitigation due to his good record which results in a three game suspension.
“Should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.”
Huge blow for the Stormers
Speaking after the clash against Cardiff, Stormers head coach John Dobson talked about the implications of losing Willemse’s services for the play-offs and said he doubts that they will be able to overturn the red card.
“The implications, I’m sure, are going to be poor for us. I’ve got no doubt,” he said.
“We can’t appeal until there is a decision; we can decide if we wait for a hearing or go straight to a judicial officer. If we do the latter, we may have more of a chance with the sanction, but there will be a sanction.
“I don’t see them overturning that unless Zas has clearly caused the height to come down, but it’s a disaster for us.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/stormers-poor-outcome-confirmed-as-damian-willemse-learns-disciplinary-fate-after-red-card
