Crusaders player Owen Franks has been cleared of a dangerous tackle charge stemming from an incident in Saturday evening’s Rebel Sport Super 14 match between the Crusaders and the Western Force at AMI Stadium, Christchurch.
Franks was cited by Citing Commissioner Jim Meates for an alleged dangerous late and high tackle on Western Force player Matt Giteau in the 78th minute of the match.
He appeared before SANZAR Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton QC at the CRFU offices in Christchurch today and was accompanied by legal representative Simon Porter with support from Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackaddder.
At the hearing Mr Hampton viewed video footage of the incident and heard evidence from Franks and Blackadder.
The footage showed Giteau being tackled by another Crusaders player moments before being tackled by Franks. Mr Hampton said, after viewing the footage and hearing all evidence, he found that Franks’ tackle on Giteau had not been late, as Franks had been moving at speed ahead of the tackle. It also had not been high as Giteau had fallen downwards and into the space which Franks had been running into.
As a result, the citing was not upheld and there had been no breach of the laws of the game.
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