The Vodacom Bulls felt vindicated as a Vodacom United Rugby Championship disciplinary committee rescinded the red card given to midfielder David Kriel during Saturday night’s win over the Ospreys in Swansea.
The card, which perplexed many and created a lot of debate on social media, came as Kriel attempted to hand off a defender and instead ended up striking him in the throat. While the ref and assistant referees both thought the hand off was ok, a string of television replays and a baying crowd convinced referee Eoghan Cross to review the incident and stunningly handed Kriel his first red card of his career.
While coach Jake White and several other commentators believed it wasn’t worthy of a card, it forced the Bulls onto the back foot, but they regrouped and still won the game 29-19.
The release from the URC read as follows:
“The Player (David Kriel, No 12) received a Red Card in the 49th minute of the game under Law 9.11 – Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler,” the ruling read.
“The Panel overseeing the disciplinary process Roddy Dunlop KC (Chair, Scotland), Donal Courtney and Gordon Black (both Ireland), found that while an act of foul play had occurred and the Player made contact with the neck area of the tackler, a combination of factors (including the Player's attempt at a hand-off to protect himself, the speed & height of the tackling player, and the low force of the contact in question) was such that the Player had established, on balance of probability, that a red card should not have been issued. The card was thus rescinded.
“As a result, the Player is now free to play and available for selection this weekend.”
Kriel’s exoneration is a massive boost for the Bulls ahead of their second tour game against the Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday night and he is all but certain to take his place at 12 for the match.
Given the Bulls have already lost Gerhard Steenekamp and Elrigh Louw to concussion for the game, the Kriel boost will be a massive mood booster for the side, which is bound to show a few changes for the match this weekend.
The fact that Jan-Hendrik Wessels was up for media duty this week normally means the Bok will be part of the match day 23, while Devon Williams’ arrival to join the team is possibly too late for this weekend and he will only feature in the final tour match next weekend.
The Bulls will name their side on Friday for the clash.