Young Melbourne Rebels forward Luke Jones has escaped with a two-match suspension for a dangerous lifting tackle on Bulls winger Bjorn Basson.
SANZAR judicial officer Mike Heron imposed the ban on Sunday, saying he’d taken into account Jones’ clean record, guilty plea and his immediate concern for the uninjured Basson in reducing what would have been a four-match ban to two matches.
However, he noted that “tip” tackles remained a cause for concern in Super Rugby and suggested harsher penalties could be introduced for them.
Jones was yellow carded for the goal-line defensive tackle made during Friday’s narrow loss to the Bulls at AAMI Park.
He lifted Basson who was upended and landed on his head and shoulders.
Heron also took into account the effect Jones’ halfback teammate Nick Phipps’ involvement had on the tackle.
Heron noted that SANZAR has issued at least two reminders of the dangers of tip tackles and this was the sixth citing for such tackles this season.
“Whilst I am advised that there has been some improvement in recent weeks, these sort of tackles remain an issue,” Heron said.
“It may be that a stronger message needs to be sent, by way of higher penalties.
“Through this decision, I request that SANZAR remind teams of the earlier messages and state that penalties for tip tackles may well increase for this reason.”