Independent Disciplinary Update:  Ray Tatafu Decision

A red card was issued to Ray Tatafu of the Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex by a referee at the match between HINO RED DOLPHINS and Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex held on 14 December 2025.

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 conducted a hearing with the player and decided to apply the following sanctions.

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

Player: Ray Tatafu 

Team:Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex

Date of Incident: 14 December 2025

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

(d) – A player may remove the jackler from the tackle area by pushing/driving them backwards (including by grabbing the knee/leg), but must not roll, pull or twist an opponent.

(e) – A player must not drop their weight onto an opponent or target the lower limbs.

Sanctions: 1 week (match) Suspension (Round 2)

The Act: When the player perform a cleanout in a ruck, he put his weight on the victim player (No. 5 of Kyusyu KV)'s lower limbs

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 3:00 into the 2nd half

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2025-26” (JP only)

https://league-one.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/menu/17338_693ba388aee09.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