The Melbourne Rebels can confirm flanker Josh Kemeny has been suspended for three weeks.
Kemeny was one of the Rebels’ best during Sunday’s match against the Brumbies, however, the twenty-four-year-old drew the attention of SANZAAR for head to head contact in the 28th minute.
The Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the Red Card threshold for foul play, ruling Kemeny had made head-to-head contact with direct and forceful contact.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representatives, Tim North KC and Harry Forrester, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Citing under Law 9.13," Foul Play Review Committee Chair Michael Heron KC said in a statement.
"With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee held the act of foul play was late and dangerous with direct and forceful contact made head-to-head.
Whilst the player attempted to pull out of a late tackle, he was always high and there was no applicable mitigation.
"The FPRC found a high degree of danger and the conduct merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player's clear record, guilty plea and otherwise exemplary conduct, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by three weeks."
"The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including 26 May 2023."
While Kemeny has been provisionally suspended for three weeks, the FPRC have deemed Josh Kemeny eligible to apply to World Rugby for the “Head Contact Process – Coaching Intervention.”
If approved, Kemeny will be available for the Rebels’ Round 14 game against the Western Force on May 26.
