Independent Disciplinary Update: Riley Hohepa Decision

A citing commissioner has issued a CCW to Riley Hohepa of the NEC GREEN ROCKETS TOKATSU  for the match between NEC GREEN ROCKETS TOKATSU  and RedHurricanes Osaka held on 13 December.

This is to inform that in accordance with Article 34 (Judicial and Citing) of the JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE ‘Official Match Guidelines 2025-26’ and the Japan Rugby Football Union ‘Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play’, the Judicial Officer decided to apply the following sanctions.

■Regulation 17 (DISCIPLINE - FOUL PLAY): Details of the Incident

Player: Riley Hohepa

Team:NEC GREEN ROCKETS TOKATSU   

Date of Incident: 13 December 2025

Nature of Offence:Law 9.20 – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul.

(a) A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul. 

(b) A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders. 

Sanctions:Yellow card  

The Act: The player  (No.2 of SAYAMA RG)

The player performed a cleanout against RH Osaka No. 15 with his right elbow tucked in, causing his right elbow to make contact with the right side of the head.

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 29:00 into the second half

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2025-26” (JP only)
https://league-one.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/menu/11248_6724a704ea4a2.pdf
Japan Rugby Football Union “Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play” (JP only)
https://rugby-japan.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/html/169467_6560879583b90.pdf
World Rugby　Regulation17 DISCIPLINE - FOUL PLAY
https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-17