Independent Disciplinary Update: Kauvaka Kaivelata 

An appeal was lodged by the team for the disciplinary decision on Kauvaka Kaivelata of the KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS for the match between TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS TOKYO and KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS held on 5 January 2025. 

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 9 January and arrives to a new conclusion.

■ Updated decision

Sanctions: 1 week (match) Suspension (Rd 4)

■ The decision before change (As of 9 January)

Player: Kauvaka Kaivelata

Team:KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS

Date of Incident: 5 January 2025

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

The Act: The player made a lifting tackle to the victim player (No.5 of TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS TOKYO) 

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 21:00 into the 2nd half

【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