Aseza Hele to miss Samoa match in WXV2

The player accepted the red card and was suspended for two matches subject to the successful completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), joined by former international referee Donal Courtney (Ireland) and former international player Becky Essex (England). The player accepted that foul play had occurred, and that the offence warranted a red card.

The Committee noted that the offence carries a mandatory minimum mid-range sanction (six matches), and having considered the mitigating factors, including admission of foul play and correctness of the red card at the first opportunity, an exemplary disciplinary record, apology to the player and good character, reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent.

The sanction is to apply as follows:South Africa v Samoa - 27 October, 2023Harlequins v Trailfinders - 18 November, 2023Harlequins v Sale Sharks - 25 November, 2023*

*The player intends to apply to take part in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of the sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play subject to successful completion.

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