Blues 2021
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If the Blues don't play a preseason game will Ofa's ban then include the first SRA game? The 3-week suspension included the last 2 AB games and any rugby up until and including February 20. So he wouldn't have been able to play against the Crusaders this Sat.
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@Bovidae Good question. The judicial decison worded the suspension as follows:
The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including Saturday 20 February 2021. This sanction includes the Player's next three scheduled matches as presented.”
What prevails, the period of the ban (up to and including 20 February) or the number of matches (3)? You could argue that he was available for the preseason game against the Crusaders, which was a scheduled game, which has been cancelled/postponed due to circumstances beyond his control, and that therefore that game should count as his third match anyway.
I think the period of the ban will prevail, just using common sense in this time of pandemic, and that he'll be allowed to play the Blues' first SRA game.
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@KiwiMurph Would he have been available for the first preseason game?
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@Stargazer The 1 Tah preseason game did play did count towards Swinton's ban but he had an extra week ban (4) compared to Ofa (3).
Waratahs stars under injury clouds as Brumbies lose Wright for six rounds
The Brumbies announced on Sunday the Test winger won’t be back until the second half of Super Rugby AU, while the Waratahs are managing a number of injuries.
Swinton was shown a red card on his Test debut against the All Blacks last year and subsequently received a four-week ban. Coach Rob Penney confirmed Swinton is “no chance” of taking on the Reds, but he can consider himself a tad unlucky. Had the Waratahs not been forced to cancel their January 30 trial against the Brumbies, Swinton’s four match ban would have elapsed by round one. -
@KiwiMurph Yeah, that's why I'm asking whether he'd have been available for the first preseason game that was cancelled. If he wasn't available, then he would still have a 4th game to sit out regardless of the cancellation.
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@Stargazer Yes. See the article above.
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@KiwiMurph I also just noticed in Swinton's judicial decision that his ban ended before Ofa's:
The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021. -
@Stargazer said in Blues 2021:
@KiwiMurph I also just noticed in Swinton's judicial decision that his ban ended before Ofa's:
The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021.Yeah that ban was handed out prior to the Super AU schedule being finalised so I wouldn't read into that date.
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@KiwiMurph It would have included all 4 matches he'd have to miss though. 2 Tri Nations and 2 preseason.
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Heem can play 13.
Confirmed taking the spot of what would have been Chocobares.
Heem will take the place of Argentine player Santiago Chocobares with the club and player unable to conclude all necessary arrangements in time for the start of the season.https://blues.rugby/former-new-zealand-sevens-star-returns-home/
There is also this
His arrival balances the first significant injury with midfielder Jone Macilai out for the season after fracturing his radius during the weekend’s Game of 3 Halves in Wellington. -
Heem has been very good for Worcester Warriors and Toulon. He has been playing wing, centre and even Fullback on occasions. He has always been super fit but at 32 is only a short term fix for the midfield/wing depth. If he is effectively replacing Macilai there must be still one other backline spot to fill. I think it is a smart signing as the outside backs are very young and green otherwise.
At Toulon -
At Worcester -
