Independent Disciplinary Update: Terrence Hepetema Decision

A citing commissioner has issued a CCW to Terrence Hepetema of the SHIMIZU KOTO BLUE SHARKS  for the match between KNIPPON STEEL KAMAISHI SEAWAVES and SHIMIZU KOTO BLUE SHARKS held on 9 May.

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: Terrence Hepetema 

Team: SHIMIZU KOTO BLUE SHARKS 

Date of Incident: 9 May 2026

Nature of Offence: 9.18

Sanctions: Yellow card  

The Act: The player lifting Kamaishi SW No. 22's left leg above the horizontal and bringing the player to the ground head-first.

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 29:00

【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