Tahlia Tupaea to receive fine for incident in the Round 6 game between the BNZ Northern Kāhu and Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai but will be eligible to play moving forward.
The incident occured with 3:31 seconds left in the third quarter where following being whistled for a foul Tupaea was issued Unsportsmanlike Foul (USF) for tripping McKenzie Forbes. As Tupaea had received a technical foul earlier in the game this USF became a game disqualification foul and she was ejected from the game.
As per Tauihi season rules all disqualifying fouls are referred to the Game Review Commissioner (GRC) for consideration of further penalties or sanctions. Upon review, it was the finding of the GRC that Tahlia Tupaea had committed three classifiable offenses:
1. Tripping of the opponent was intentional, contact was to the body and the impact was low.
2. Excessive disputing of a game official decision or offensive or abusive language towards a game official (can include referees, scoretable, statisticians, game manager, League staff)
3. Unsportsmanlike behaviour
The GRC preliminary indication of sanction as per the tribunal policy was:
1. Table 1: Tripping $600 ($300 with early plea)
2. Table 2: Excessive disputing $500 ($250 with early plea)
3. Table 2: Unsportsmanlike behaviour $500 ($250 with early plea)
The finding of the GRC was accepted by the Northern Kāhu and Tahlia Tupea with a total fine, following the early plea, of $800 being issued.
The matter is now concluded and Tupaea is available for all team activities.
