Wallabies and Waratahs flanker Lachie Swinton has played his final Super Rugby Pacific regular season match of the year after copping a seven-week suspension.
Swinton was cited for a dangerous tackle on Jake Strachan in the first minute of the Waratahs’ 36-16 victory over the Western Force.
The incident went unpunished on the field but was picked up by the citing commissioner.
Top-end entry point
A SANZAAR Judicial Committee found Swinton guilty of contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
“With respect to sanction, the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play was reckless, with the contact point directly made with the head, high force and no mitigating factors present,” Judicial Committee Chair Helen Morgan stated.
“The Committee found the incident was highly dangerous and, after considering all relevant factors of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process and sanctioning table, decided the foul play merited a top-end entry point of 10 weeks.
“Taking into account mitigating factors, including the player’s acceptance of guilt that the incident was foul play, conduct at the hearing and remorse, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by three weeks.”
The 26-year-old is suspended for seven weeks, ruling him out up to and including June 3.
#Rugby
7️⃣semanas de suspensión para Lachan Swinton por este artero golpe sobre Jake Strachan apenas comenzando el partido #FORvWAR
Lo curioso….ninguno de los oficiales de partido vio el golpe ni el TMO lo consideró foul play
No podrá jugar x el resto del #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/PWM3xhqo5n
— Fran Capizzi 🏉📺🇦🇷 (@Fran_Capizzi) April 18, 2023
Rugby World Cup hopes
The news comes as a crushing blow for Swinton’s hopes of representing the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup.
He was recently called into Eddie Jones‘ squad following a concussion to Darcy Swain.
It is also not the first time that Swinton has been in hot water for his actions on the pitch.
In 2020, he was suspended for four weeks after being sent off, in his Test debut, for a dangerous tackle on All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock in the 24-22 win over New Zealand.
In 2021, he escaped a suspension for a sending-off against the Chiefs. He was sent from the field late in the game after a dangerous cleanout on Lachlan Boshier. However, he successfully argued that it did not warrant a red card.
Swinton had just returned from a long-term injury and now faces another lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Unless the Waratahs make the playoffs of Super Rugby Pacific, Swinton has played his final game for the side this year.
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While Jones has handed players second chances in the past, there will be little time, if any, for the back-rower to force his way back into the squad.