Independent Disciplinary Update: Riley Hohepa Decision
A yellow card was issued to Riley Hohepa of the NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu by a referee at the match between NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu and SHIMIZU KOTO BLUE SHARKS held on 28 March 2026. The player has accumulated a total of three sanctions, consisting of one Citing Commissioner Warning (hereinafter referred to as "CCW") and two Yellow Cards (YCs).
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: Riley Hohepa
Team: NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
Date of Incident: 28 March 2026
Nature of Offence:
・CCW：13/12/2025 vs RedHurricanes Osaka
Law 9.20(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.
Law 9.20(b) – A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.
The Act: The player's right elbow made contact with the right side of the head of Red Hurricanes Osaka No. 15 during a ruck. 13/12/2025 vs RH OSAKA
・Yellow Card ①②
Law 9.13 – 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.
The Act:
① The player made a high-tackle to the victim player (No. 10 of S AICHI) 10/1/2026 vs S AICHI
② The player made a high-tackle to the victim player (No. 8 of KOTO BS) 28/3/2026 vs KOTO BS
Sanctions: 2 weeks (matches) Suspension (Rd 10-11)
【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
