Defending Super Rugby Pacific champions ‘scrambling’ after All Blacks snub Hoskins Sotutu slapped with a ban
Hoskins Sotutu will miss key Super Rugby Pacific fixtures after being banned following his red card.
Blues star Hoskins Sotutu will miss key Super Rugby Pacific fixtures after being banned following his red card against the Hurricanes.
The back-rower has been handed a three-game suspension after a dangerous tackle on Hurricanes loose forward Peter Lakai which can be reduced if he takes part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
Sotutu banned
In the 75th minute, Blues forward Sotutu made shoulder-to-head contact with Hurricanes star Lakai, which referee Angus Gardner promptly reviewed and deemed to reach the yellow card threshold.
The yellow card was duly upgraded to a red card by the Foul Play Review Officer and the Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has agreed with that decision.
A Super Rugby Pacific statement confirmed that the FPRC found Hoskins Sotutu guilty of committing a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13 which reads: “A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”
Hoskins Sotutu shoulder to head on Peter Lakai results to red card
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The FPRC determined the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches. Sotutu’s acceptance that he had committed an act of foul play and mitigating factors such as the player’s disciplinary record, resulted in the FPRC applying the full 50 per cent reduction in sanction.
He is also able to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final match of the sanction.
Blues scrambling
After the narrow 33-29 victory over the Hurricanes, Blues boss Vern Cotter rued the growing injury list ahead of crunch fixtures with the Brumbies and Chiefs.
The Blues had seven players unavailable for the clash against the Hurricanes and Cotter wasn’t sure exactly what his round four squad might look like, particularly after Sotutu’s red card and fellow All Blacks forward Dalton Papali’i’s injury.
“It’s just the excitement of winning again, and that’ll give the boys a boost,” Cotter said.
“Brumbies in six days’ time – we’ve got a few guys down and out as well, so we’ll be scrambling to put a team on the paddock, I would think.
“We’ll see what happens with Hoskins. Dalton came off with a cut above his eye as well, so we’re just going to have to reassess everything – but, first and foremost, enjoy the win, because it was tough and I think we’re improving.”
The games that Hoskins Sotutu will miss:
– Blues v Brumbies, Friday 7 March 2025
– Chiefs v Blues, Saturday 15 March 2025
– Blues v Crusaders, Saturday 22 March 2025*
*Sotutu was also given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final match of the sanction.
