Independent Disciplinary Update: Epineri Uluiviti

An appeal was lodged by the team for the disciplinary decision of Epineri Uluiviti of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars for the match between TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS TOKYO and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars held on 29 December 2024. 

This is to inform that in accordance with Article 34 (Judicial and Citing) of the JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE ‘Official Match Guidelines 2024-25’ and the Japan Rugby Football Union ‘Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play’, the Appeal Committee conducted a hearing with the player and reassessed the decision made on 2 January and arrives to a new conclusion.

■ Updated decision

Sanctions: 4 weeks (matches) Suspension (Rd 3-6)

■ The decision before change (As of 2 January)

Player: Epineri Uluiviti

Team:Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars

Date of Incident: 29 December 2024

Nature of Offence: 

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.

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 3-7)

The Act: The player lifted the victim player (No. 3 of TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS TOKYO) and threw off to hit the ground headfirst and tackled in a dangerous form.

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 32:00 

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2024-25” (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