Independent Disciplinary Update: Sam Phillip Jeffries Decision

A red card was issued to Sam Phillip Jeffries of the TOKYO SUNTORY SUNGOLIATH by a referee at the match between TOKYO SUNTORY SUNGOLIATH and YOKOHAMA CANON EAGLES held on 22 February 2026.

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: Sam Phillip Jeffries

Team: TOKYO SUNTORY SUNGOLIATH   

Date of Incident: 22 February 2026

Nature of Offence: Law 9.18 –  A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.  

Sanctions: 5 weeks (matches) Suspension (Rd 7,10 -13)

The Act: The player in question of lifting Yokohama’s No. 7 off the ground and dropping him so that he fell headfirst onto the ground

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 02:00 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